Platform Terms of Use

Effective date: October 30, 2025

Version 1.0 (multi-phase: pre-ABS → post-ABS)

IMPORTANT: THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION CLAUSE AND A CLASS ACTION WAIVER (SEE SECTION 17). IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO NOT USE THE PLATFORM.

1. Who We Are; How These Terms Work with Our Other Policies

serfsUp, d/b/a serfsUp ("serfsUp," "we," "us," "our"), operates a technology platform that facilitates access to legal services and provides automation and communications tools. The Platform includes our websites/apps (if any) and our Written Channels (SMS, WhatsApp, and email).

No legal advice by the Platform

The Platform itself provides legal information and operational tools; it does not provide legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney-client relationships, if any, are formed only under a countersigned engagement agreement. See Section 10.

Partner Attorneys & ABS Law Firm

Today, legal services (where available) are provided by independent Partner Attorneys and/or their law firms. We are also pursuing authorization of an Arizona Alternative Business Structure (ABS Law Firm). After licensure, legal services in permitted jurisdictions may be provided through the ABS Law Firm.

Your other contracts with us

These Terms govern your use of the Platform. Our Privacy Policy governs how we collect/use data. Our Client Interaction & Engagement Policy explains how legal matters are scoped and staffed. Engagement letters govern any legal services you receive. If there is a conflict, the engagement letter governs legal services; these Terms govern platform use.

By using the Platform, you accept these Terms.

2. Eligibility & Accounts

You must be at least 18 and capable of forming a binding contract to use the Platform. You may be required to verify identity (e.g., KYC/AML checks) before certain features or legal engagements. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any login or verification codes and for all activity that occurs using your credentials.

3. Written Channels (SMS/WhatsApp/Email)

We communicate primarily via SMS, WhatsApp, and email ("Written Channels").

Consent

By providing your number/email, you consent to receive transactional and service-related messages. Reply STOP to SMS to opt out; reply HELP for help. Message/data rates may apply. Frequency varies.

Security

Standard SMS and email are not end-to-end encrypted. Do not transmit highly sensitive data unless we provide a secure method.

Records

We may retain message logs consistent with our retention policies. Avoid disappearing messages; where used, we may independently capture and store communications for your file.

4. License and Permitted Use

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purpose and in accordance with these Terms. You may not:

  • reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to derive source code;
  • access or use the Platform to build a competing product;
  • scrape, harvest, or use automated means (except as expressly allowed by us in writing);
  • bypass security or rate-limit mechanisms;
  • upload malware or interfere with Platform operation;
  • use the Platform for unlawful, harassing, defamatory, or fraudulent purposes; or
  • misrepresent your identity or affiliation.

We may monitor use to ensure compliance and to protect the Platform and users.

5. Your Content; License to Us

You may upload or transmit content (texts, documents, images, data) ("User Content").

  • You retain ownership of your User Content.
  • License to us (limited): You grant us and our service providers a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, process, transmit, display, and create derivative works of User Content solely to operate, secure, and improve the Platform; to perform intake, routing, and drafting; to provide requested services; and to meet legal/ethical obligations.
  • Confidentiality: We handle User Content consistent with our Privacy Policy and professional obligations described in our Client Interaction & Engagement Policy.
  • Representations: You represent you have all rights necessary to submit User Content and that it does not violate law or third-party rights.

6. AI-Assisted Features; Information-Only Q&A

  • The Platform uses automation and AI-assisted tools to streamline intake, routing, drafting, and quality controls.
  • Information only: Any 24/7 "simple legal Q&A" feature provides legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
  • Human review: For legal deliverables under an engagement, attorneys direct scope and review work product.
  • No emergency use: Do not rely on the Platform for emergencies or imminent deadlines (e.g., statutes of limitation). Until you are formally engaged and the attorney has assumed responsibility in writing, you are responsible for your own deadlines.

7. Subscriptions, Flat Fees, and Payments (Platform-Managed)

We may offer Subscriptions (annual plans with credits) and Flat-Fee listings visible on the Platform. Additional terms will be presented in-flow.

Subscriptions

Unless otherwise stated, credits are non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and expire at the end of the subscription term. Subscriptions may auto-renew at the then-current rate until canceled. You can cancel any time before the next renewal period to avoid future charges.

Flat-Fee listings

The posted price covers only the listed task; scope limits will be shown or provided in writing.

Payment processing

We use third-party payment processors. By paying, you agree to their terms.

Refunds

Platform refunds (if any) are governed by the applicable offer and by law. Legal-service refunds (e.g., unearned fees) are governed by your engagement letter and professional rules.

No attorney-client relationship from payment alone. Payment does not by itself establish representation.

8. Trust/IOLTA Handling (Legal Services)

Where required, unearned fees and advances will be deposited into a client trust account (IOLTA or equivalent) by the responsible lawyer or law firm in accordance with applicable rules and your engagement letter. See our Client Interaction & Engagement Policy for details.

9. Intellectual Property; Feedback

The Platform, including software, text, designs, logos, and content, is owned by serfsUp or its licensors and protected by IP laws. Except for the limited license in Section 4, no rights are granted. Trademarks, trade dress, and logos may not be used without our written permission.

If you provide Feedback (ideas, suggestions), you grant serfsUp a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to use it without restriction or compensation.

10. Legal Services; Relationship Formation; Who You Contract With

No attorney-client relationship via Platform

Using the Platform, including intake and Q&A, does not create an attorney-client relationship.

When a relationship forms

An attorney-client relationship forms only when you receive a countersigned engagement agreement from a Partner Attorney or the ABS Law Firm and any preconditions are satisfied (e.g., conflicts cleared, retainer funded, KYC/AML).

  • Pre-ABS: Your contract for legal services is with the Partner Attorney (or their firm).
  • Post-ABS (as permitted): Your contract may be with the ABS Law Firm; it may associate local counsel and, where allowed, share fees subject to required disclosures and your consent.

Not a lawyer referral service: serfsUp is a technology platform and is not a lawyer referral service.

Engagement letters control: Legal fees, scope, staffing, billing, trust handling, and withdrawal/termination are governed by your engagement letter and applicable rules.

11. Third-Party Services & Links

The Platform may integrate or link to services we do not control (e.g., SMS carriers, WhatsApp, email providers, e-signature, video). Their terms and privacy policies govern your use of those services. We are not responsible for third-party services.

12. Privacy; Data Use

Our Privacy Policy explains what information we collect and how we use and share it, including AI subprocessors configured with no training on your data and zero retention under our enterprise settings. By using the Platform, you consent to our data practices described there.

13. Changes to the Platform or Terms

We may modify the Platform or these Terms. When we make material changes, we will update the "Effective date" above and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. If you continue using the Platform after changes take effect, you accept the revised Terms.

14. Suspension & Termination

We may suspend or terminate access to the Platform (or specific features) if we believe you violated these Terms, pose a risk, or to comply with law. You may stop using the Platform at any time. Sections that by nature should survive (e.g., IP provisions, disclaimers, limits of liability, arbitration) will survive termination.

15. Disclaimers

THE PLATFORM AND ALL INFORMATION (INCLUDING Q&A OUTPUTS) ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE."

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free, or that defects will be corrected.

16. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, serfsUp and its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, suppliers, and licensors will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, revenues, data, goodwill, or replacement costs, arising out of or related to your use of the Platform.

Our total liability for any claim relating to the Platform will not exceed the greater of: (a) $100, or (b) the amounts you paid to us for Platform features that gave rise to the claim in the twelve (12) months before the event giving rise to liability.

These limits do not apply to the extent prohibited by law.

17. Dispute Resolution; Arbitration; Class-Action Waiver

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

You and serfsUp agree to resolve any dispute or claim relating to the Platform or these Terms through binding individual arbitration, except that either party may (i) seek relief in small-claims court of competent jurisdiction; and (ii) seek injunctive relief in court for IP misuse or unauthorized access/abuse of the Platform.

Rules & forum

Arbitration will be administered by the AAA under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, held by video conference unless the arbitrator requires otherwise. Venue will be Maricopa County, Arizona (or your county of residence if required by AAA rules).

Governing law

Arizona law governs these Terms, without regard to conflicts of law, except that the Federal Arbitration Act governs interpretation and enforcement of this Section.

No class actions

Arbitrations will be on an individual basis only. Class, representative, or consolidated actions are not permitted.

30-day opt-out

You may opt out of arbitration and the class-action waiver by sending written notice to legal@serfsup.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms.

Informal resolution

Before filing, a party must send a written notice describing the dispute and requested relief to legal@serfsup.com and attempt good-faith resolution for 30 days.

If a court finds the class-action waiver unenforceable, this Section is void in its entirety as to that claim, and the claim must proceed in court (in Maricopa County, Arizona), with a jury trial waived to the extent permitted by law.

18. DMCA; Copyright Complaints

We respect IP rights. If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, send a notice including the information required by 17 U.S.C. §512(c)(3) to our DMCA Agent:

DMCA Agent — serfsUp

Attn: Legal

Email: dmca@serfsup.com

Upon receipt of a valid notice, we may remove or disable access and notify the user. We may, in appropriate circumstances, terminate accounts of repeat infringers.

19. Export & Sanctions Compliance

You may not use, export, or re-export the Platform in violation of U.S. export laws or sanctions administered by OFAC or other authorities. You represent you are not located in, under control of, or a national/resident of any embargoed country or on any prohibited list.

20. Government Users

The Platform and documentation are "Commercial Products" and "Commercial Computer Software" as those terms are used in applicable procurement regulations. Rights are limited to those set forth in these Terms.

21. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets.

22. Miscellaneous

  • Force majeure: We are not liable for delays or failures due to events beyond our reasonable control.
  • Severability: If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.
  • No waiver: Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.
  • Entire agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Client Interaction & Engagement Policy, are the entire agreement regarding Platform use.
  • Headings: Headings are for convenience only.

23. Contact

Questions about these Terms: support@serfsup.com

Privacy requests: See our Privacy Policy

Appendix A — Jurisdictional & Engagement Matrix

For operational clarity only. The controlling documents are your engagement letter (legal services), these Terms (Platform), and our Privacy Policy.

  • Pre-ABS: Legal services available in CA, NY, TX via Partner Attorneys; Platform available nationwide as information/technology only.
  • Post-ABS (as authorized): Legal services may be offered via the ABS Law Firm in permitted jurisdictions; local counsel may be associated as needed with disclosures.
  • Subscriptions: Budgeting tool; does not itself create an attorney-client relationship.

(See live Jurisdictional Schedule on our website.)

Appendix B — Electronic Communications & E-Sign Consent (ESIGN)

By using the Platform, you consent to receive communications electronically (SMS/WhatsApp/email) and to execute agreements via electronic signatures. You may withdraw consent by contacting support@serfsup.com; doing so may limit our ability to provide services.