Website Terms of Use
Blackthorn Law Firm P.C.
1. Acceptance of Terms
These Website Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern access to and use of the website operated by Blackthorn Law Firm P.C. (the “Firm”), including its webpages, informational resources, electronic forms, automated intake systems, and associated online services.
By accessing or using this website, visitors agree to comply with these Terms to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Visitors who do not agree with these Terms should discontinue use of the website.
Nothing in these Terms modifies an existing attorney-client engagement agreement or waives any nonwaivable legal or professional obligation.
2. Informational Purpose
The website provides general information concerning the Firm, its attorneys, available legal services, and the process for requesting representation.
Website content is not intended to provide individualized legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney.
The Firm makes no representation that website content is suitable for any particular legal matter or jurisdiction.
3. No Attorney-Client Relationship
Use of the website does not independently establish an attorney-client relationship.
Submitting a form, uploading documents, interacting with an automated intake system, or receiving a preliminary response does not constitute acceptance of representation.
Representation is established only after the Firm expressly accepts the engagement and the required written engagement agreement has been executed.
Any duties owed to prospective clients under applicable law remain in effect.
4. Permitted Website Use
Visitors may use the website for lawful personal or business informational purposes and to submit legitimate inquiries concerning the Firm’s services.
Visitors agree not to:
- Access or attempt to access website systems without authorization;
- Interfere with the website’s operation or security;
- Introduce malware, malicious code, or harmful software;
- Misrepresent their identity or provide knowingly false information;
- Use automated systems to disrupt website services;
- Copy or distribute protected materials for unauthorized commercial purposes; or
- Engage in unlawful activity through the website.
The Firm reserves the right to take lawful and reasonable measures to protect its website, personnel, and information systems.
5. Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise indicated, original website content, logos, graphics, design elements, text, and other materials are owned by or licensed to Blackthorn Law Firm P.C.
Such materials may be protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual-property laws.
Visitors may access and review website materials for lawful informational purposes.
Unauthorized commercial reproduction, modification, distribution, or exploitation of protected materials is prohibited to the extent permitted by law.
Nothing in these Terms restricts rights established by applicable copyright law, including lawful fair use.
6. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Systems
The website may utilize artificial intelligence, automated communication technology, and electronic intake tools.
These systems are intended to facilitate administrative processes and provide general information.
Automated responses may contain inaccuracies or omissions and do not constitute legal advice.
Visitors acknowledge that interacting with such systems does not independently establish legal representation, create a guarantee of case acceptance, or obligate the Firm to undertake legal action.
The Firm’s use of technology remains subject to applicable professional obligations.
7. User-Submitted Information
Visitors are responsible for ensuring that information submitted through the website is accurate to the best of their knowledge and that they are authorized to provide submitted materials.
Submitting information does not transfer ownership of the underlying materials to the Firm.
Visitors authorize the Firm to receive, review, store, and use submitted materials as reasonably necessary to respond to the inquiry, evaluate potential representation, operate the website, or perform other lawful functions consistent with the Privacy Policy and applicable professional obligations.
Nothing in these Terms grants the Firm unrestricted rights to disclose confidential or privileged information.
8. Third-Party Links and Services
The website may contain links to websites, applications, resources, or services operated by third parties.
Such links are provided for informational purposes or convenience.
The Firm does not necessarily endorse, control, or assume responsibility for external websites or their content.
Use of third-party services may be subject to separate terms and privacy policies.
9. Website Availability
The Firm may modify, update, suspend, or discontinue website content or functionality without prior notice, subject to applicable law.
The Firm does not guarantee uninterrupted website availability or that the website will operate without technical errors.
Scheduled maintenance, system failures, internet disruptions, and other circumstances may affect website functionality.
Visitors should not rely upon the website as the sole means of communicating time-sensitive legal information.
10. Accuracy of Information
The Firm endeavors to maintain accurate and useful website content but does not guarantee that all materials are complete, current, or free from error.
Legal information may become outdated because of changes in statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, procedural rules, or other developments.
Visitors are responsible for obtaining appropriate legal advice regarding their individual circumstances.
11. Disclaimer of Warranties
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the website and its informational content are provided on an “as available” basis.
The Firm makes no guarantee regarding uninterrupted operation, technical compatibility, accuracy of third-party content, or suitability of general website information for a particular legal purpose.
Nothing in these Terms limits warranties, duties, or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded.
12. Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Firm is not responsible for losses resulting solely from unauthorized website use, third-party service failures beyond its control, or unreasonable reliance upon general website information as individualized legal advice.
Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for professional malpractice where such limitation is prohibited, excuses violations of professional obligations, or restricts rights and remedies that cannot lawfully be waived.
These Terms do not constitute a prospective limitation of the Firm’s professional liability to any client or prospective client.
13. Electronic Communications
Website communications may be subject to technical delays, delivery failures, interception, or other electronic security risks.
The Firm does not guarantee that information transmitted through ordinary website forms or email will be received immediately.
Visitors should use appropriate communication channels for sensitive information and should not assume that an unanswered message has been reviewed.
Submitting information through the website does not suspend or satisfy any legal deadline.
14. Governing Law
To the extent legally applicable, these Terms concerning general website use are governed by the laws of the State of Oregon.
This provision does not displace mandatory laws applicable in another jurisdiction or establish an exclusive forum for claims subject to separate legal or professional requirements.
Any dispute arising from an attorney-client engagement remains subject to the applicable engagement agreement and controlling law.
15. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in effect to the extent permitted by law.
16. Modifications
The Firm may revise these Terms from time to time.
Updated Terms will be posted on the website with a revised effective date.
No revision shall unilaterally modify an existing attorney-client engagement agreement or eliminate legal rights that cannot lawfully be waived.
17. Professional Obligations
Notwithstanding anything contained in these Terms, the Firm and its attorneys remain subject to applicable laws, professional regulations, and rules of professional conduct.
Where these Terms conflict with a nonwaivable legal or professional obligation, the applicable obligation controls.
18. Contact Information
Questions regarding these Terms may be directed to:
Blackthorn Law Firm P.C., 111 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 3150, Portland, Oregon 97204