Terms of Use

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Texas Lawyer Referral Service website (the "Site") and any communications, referrals, resources, tools, materials, or other services offered by Texas Lawyer Referral Service ("TxLRS," "we," "us," "our") whether provided online, by phone, by text, by email, or otherwise (collectively, the "Services").

About Our Service. TxLRS is a lawyer referral service certified by the State Bar of Texas under Chapter 952, Occupations Code. TxLRS connects people who need legal help with qualified lawyers in our network of attorneys. The referral service is free for people seeking a lawyer. Lawyers who participate in our network pay a referral fee and must register with TxLRS and comply with the Rules of the service. TxLRS does not provide legal services directly.

1. Who Is Covered; How You Accept These Terms

These Terms apply to all persons who do any of the following ("you"):

1. visit, access, browse, or use the Site;
2. access, request information about, or otherwise interact with any Services;
3. contact TxLRS (including about any Services) by phone, text, email, web inquiry form, chat, social media message, mail, or any other method;
4. request information about Services; or
5. request a lawyer referral or use any Services.

Acceptance by use/contact. You agree that using the Site, communicating with TxLRS, requesting information about Services, or requesting a lawyer referral constitutes acceptance of these Terms to the fullest extent permitted by law.

If you do not agree, do not use the Site, do not communicate with TxLRS, and do not use any Services.

2. Emergency / Safety Warning

TxLRS is not an emergency service provider. If you are experiencing an emergency, your safety is in jeopardy, you are in immediate danger, or you need urgent help, do not contact TxLRS. Call 9-1-1 or contact local emergency services immediately.

3. Scope and Availability

TxLRS provides lawyer referral services to persons located in Texas. Not all practice areas or lawyers are available in all locations, and availability may depend on capacity, the nature of your legal matter, geographic area, and other factors.

TxLRS may refuse, limit, suspend, modify, discontinue, or terminate any Services at any time for any lawful reason.

4. Free Referral Service; No Fees to Clients

TxLRS does not charge fees to individuals seeking a lawyer referral. The referral service is free for you. Lawyers in our network pay referral fees to TxLRS and must register with TxLRS and comply with the Rules of the service.

Lawyer fees are separate. Any fees, costs, or expenses charged by a lawyer you are referred to are between you and that lawyer and are not controlled by TxLRS. You are responsible for understanding and agreeing to any fee arrangement with any lawyer before engaging that lawyer's services.

5. No Attorney-Client Relationship; No Legal Advice

6. Referral Service Only; What We Do Not Provide

TxLRS is a referral service only. TxLRS connects people seeking legal help with qualified lawyers in our network of attorneys. The Services do not include:

• legal representation of you in any legal matter;
• a lawyer appearing with you or for you in court;
• a lawyer contacting or speaking to third parties for you;
• drafting or filing legal documents or forms for you; or
• providing legal advice to you.

No guarantee. TxLRS does not guarantee results or outcomes. A referral does not guarantee that a lawyer will accept your case, that you will receive legal assistance, or that any particular outcome will result. Lawyers have limited capacity and may be selective regarding the types of cases they accept. You are responsible for your decisions.

7. Children and Minors

TxLRS's Services are intended for adults. Individuals under the age of 17 are not permitted to use the Services. If you are under 17, do not use the Site to request Services and do not submit information to TxLRS except through a parent or legal guardian.

8. Consent to Contact; Automated Calling and Texting

By providing a phone number or email address, or by using one to contact TxLRS, you consent to receive communications from TxLRS about Services, referrals, scheduling, and related matters.

You expressly authorize TxLRS to call and text you at any number you provide or use to communicate with TxLRS, including through automated dialing systems and automated texting systems (including application-to-person messaging and similar technology), to the extent permitted by law. Message and data rates may apply.

SMS Service. By opting in through any of our consent methods, you agree to receive SMS messages from Texas Lawyer Referral Service. Service availability depends on your carrier; Texas Lawyer Referral Service is not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP.

9. User Conduct; Prohibited Use

You agree not to misuse the Site or Services, including by providing false or misleading information, attempting unauthorized access, interfering with Site operations or security, using automated scraping without permission, or using the Site/Services for harassment or harmful intent.

TxLRS may suspend or terminate Services if you violate these Terms or if TxLRS reasonably believes your conduct is harmful or abusive.

10. Intellectual Property

All Site content (text, graphics, logos, designs, and software) is owned by or licensed to TxLRS and protected by law. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works without TxLRS's written permission.

11. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites. TxLRS is not responsible for third-party content, policies, or practices. Your use of third-party sites is at your own risk.

12. Disclaimers

THE SITE AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE." TxLRS DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

TxLRS DOES NOT GUARANTEE RESULTS OR OUTCOMES.

13. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TxLRS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR LOST PROFITS, LOST REVENUE, LOST DATA, OR LOSS OF GOODWILL.

TxLRS'S TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SITE OR SERVICES WILL NOT EXCEED $100.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless TxLRS and its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, affiliates, associates, and vendors from claims, losses, liabilities, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of your use of the Site/Services, your communications with TxLRS, or your violation of these Terms.

15. Complaints and Dispute Resolution (Required Before Claims)

If you are unhappy with Services or believe you are not receiving what you expected, you agree that before making a claim, dispute, complaint, or posting a negative review, you will submit a written request for assistance and cooperate in good faith to try to resolve the issue.

16. Governing Law; Venue for Court Filings

Except as governed by the Federal Arbitration Act in Section 17, these Terms are governed by Texas law (without regard to conflict-of-laws principles).

To the extent any dispute is filed in court consistent with Section 17 (including Justice Court matters and limited injunctive relief), you agree venue will be Harris County, Texas, unless TxLRS agrees otherwise in writing.

17. BINDING ARBITRATION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CLASS ACTION WAIVER

17.1 Covered Parties

In this Section 17, "TxLRS" includes Texas Lawyer Referral Service and all of its past and present directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, consultants, affiliates, associates, successors, and assigns (collectively, "Covered Parties").

This arbitration agreement applies to Disputes between you and any Covered Party, including claims against a Covered Party individually.

17.2 Agreement to Arbitrate (All Claims)

Except as expressly allowed in Sections 17.7 (Justice Court carve-out) and 17.8 (limited injunctive relief), you and the Covered Parties agree that any and all past, present, or future disputes, claims, or controversies arising out of or relating to the Site; any Services; any communications with TxLRS or any Covered Party (including phone calls, texts, emails, and web inquiries); any advertising or representations; and/or these Terms (each a "Dispute") will be resolved by binding arbitration, not in court.

You and the Covered Parties waive the right to a trial before a judge or jury for covered Disputes.

17.3 Federal Arbitration Act

This arbitration agreement is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA") to the fullest extent permitted.

17.4 Mandatory Notice and 30-Day Informal Resolution Period

Before starting arbitration, the party initiating a Dispute ("Claimant") must send the other party a written Notice of Dispute describing (a) the nature of the Dispute; (b) the facts supporting it; (c) the legal basis asserted; and (d) the relief requested. The parties will attempt in good faith to resolve the Dispute for 30 days after receipt of the Notice before any arbitration is filed.

Notices to TxLRS must be sent by physical mail to:

Texas Lawyer Referral Service
Attn: Dispute Notice
2028 E Ben White Blvd, Suite 240-1638
Austin, TX 78741

17.5 Administrator and Rules

Arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its consumer arbitration rules then in effect. If AAA is unavailable or declines to administer, arbitration will be administered by JAMS under its applicable consumer arbitration procedures.

If neither AAA nor JAMS is available, a court of competent jurisdiction in Harris County, Texas will appoint a neutral arbitrator, and the arbitration will proceed under procedures determined by the arbitrator consistent with the FAA and the purposes of this Section 17.

17.6 Seat/Location; One Arbitrator; Binding Award

Unless the parties agree otherwise in writing:

• The arbitration seat and hearing location will be in Harris County, Texas.
• The arbitration will be decided by one neutral arbitrator.
• The arbitrator's written award will be final and binding, and
• judgment on the award may be entered in any court with jurisdiction.

17.7 Justice Court / Small Claims Carve-Out

Either party may bring an individual action in a Texas Justice Court if the Dispute is within that court's jurisdiction and proper venue. If a Dispute is properly filed and maintained in Justice Court, it will not be subject to arbitration unless it is transferred, removed, or appealed to a court where it cannot proceed as a Justice Court matter.

17.8 Limited Injunctive Relief

Either party may seek temporary injunctive relief in a court located in Harris County, Texas, to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, security threats, or infringement of intellectual property pending arbitration. This does not permit litigation of the merits of any Dispute otherwise subject to arbitration.

17.9 Class Action / Representative Action Waiver

Disputes must be brought only in an individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any class, collective, coordinated, private-attorney-general, or representative action. The arbitrator may not consolidate claims or award relief to anyone other than the individual Claimant or TxLRS.

17.10 Fees, Costs, and Attorneys' Fees

(a) Filing fee: The Claimant is responsible for the initial filing fee required by the administrator, subject to any consumer fee waivers/reductions available under the administrator's rules.

(b) Administrator and arbitrator fees: TxLRS will pay administrator and arbitrator fees to the extent required by the applicable consumer arbitration rules/procedures. To the extent allowed by applicable law and the administrator's rules, TxLRS's obligation to pay administrator and arbitrator fees will not exceed $10,000 for a single arbitration.

(c) Cost shifting where permitted: Unless prohibited by applicable law, the arbitrator may award the prevailing party reimbursement of reasonable arbitration costs only to the extent the arbitrator determines such an award is permitted and appropriate under applicable law and the administrator's rules.

(d) Attorneys' fees: Each party bears its own attorneys' fees unless a statute or rule applicable to the Dispute authorizes a fee award, in which case the arbitrator may award reasonable attorneys' fees as permitted.

17.11 Confidentiality

The arbitration is confidential. The parties will not disclose arbitration materials (pleadings, evidence, transcripts, awards) except:

• as necessary for the administrator, arbitrator, counsel, witnesses, and experts;
• to enforce this arbitration agreement or confirm/vacate an award in court; or
• as required by law.

17.12 Severability

If any part of Section 17 is found unenforceable, the remainder will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted. If the class/representative waiver is found unenforceable, the Dispute must be resolved in court rather than through arbitration.

18. Termination

TxLRS may suspend or terminate your access to the Site or Services at any time for any lawful reason. Sections that by their nature should survive termination (including disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnity, confidentiality, and arbitration) will survive.

19. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify, update, or change these Terms at any time, with or without notice. Changes will become effective immediately upon posting to the Site. Your continued use of the Site or Services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms (and any posted Privacy Policy) constitute the entire agreement regarding the Site and Services and supersede prior or contemporaneous understandings on the subject.

21. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

22. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us by phone at 512-872-4400.

Texas Lawyer Referral Service
2028 E Ben White Blvd, Suite 240-1638
Austin, TX 78741