Terms of Service

Lawbyte is a technology platform that helps people find and contact independent lawyers. Lawbyte is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and does not practice law. Lawyers listed on Lawbyte are independent and are not employees or agents of Lawbyte.

Using Lawbyte never creates an attorney-client relationship with Lawbyte. No attorney-client relationship exists between you and any lawyer until you and that lawyer both sign a written engagement letter.

Matching, job posts, lawyer profiles, communities, and AI suggestions are informational only. They are not legal advice, recommendations, or endorsements of any lawyer or of any outcome.

Lawbyte does not guarantee the outcome of any matter, any response time, or that any lawyer will reply to or accept your matter.

When you submit a request while signed in, it may be shared with up to 3 verified attorneys licensed in your state. Those attorneys first see only your first name, practice area, and a short summary with contact details removed. Your full name, email, phone, and full message are shared with a lawyer only after that lawyer unlocks the lead.

Until you sign an engagement letter with a lawyer, your messages are not privileged and are not confidential as to Lawbyte. Do not send highly sensitive details (for example Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or details you would not want disclosed) until you have engaged a lawyer.

You must be at least 18 years old to use Lawbyte. You are responsible for your account, for keeping your sign-in secure, and for the accuracy of the information you provide.

Do not misuse Lawbyte: no unlawful use, harassment, spam, impersonation, false information, scraping, attempts to bypass security or payment, or interference with the service.

Lawbyte is free for clients. Lawbyte is paid by lawyers through a flat $15 fee when they accept a lead, never by a share of legal fees. Any legal fees are agreed directly between you and your lawyer and paid directly to that lawyer.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Lawbyte is provided "as is" without warranties, and Lawbyte is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any lawyer's acts, omissions, advice, or services. Lawbyte's total liability for any claim relating to the service is limited to the greater of $100 or the amount you paid Lawbyte in the 12 months before the claim.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. Disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in California, and you and Lawbyte consent to their jurisdiction. [Draft note: arbitration clause optional — for counsel to decide.]

We may update these Terms. We will post the updated version with a new "Last updated" date, and material changes will be noted on this page. Continued use after changes means you accept them.

Questions about these Terms: terms@lawbyte.app.

You must be an attorney licensed and in good standing in the US jurisdiction you list. You alone are responsible for complying with unauthorized-practice-of-law rules, including only taking matters you are permitted to handle.

You represent that your bar number, jurisdiction, and status are accurate. You will promptly update Lawbyte if you are suspended, disbarred, placed on inactive status, or disciplined. Lawbyte may remove your listing at any time.

You remain solely responsible for your own ethical obligations, including conflicts of interest (e.g., ABA Model Rule 1.7 and state equivalents), advertising rules (e.g., Rule 7.1), competence, confidentiality once engaged, fee agreements, and trust accounting. Lawbyte does not supervise or control your practice.

Free to join. Pay $15 only when you accept a lead. No monthly fee, no subscription, and zero commission: clients pay you directly, and we never take a share of your fees.

Clients pay you directly under your engagement letter. Lawyer billing is handled by Stripe. Billing is currently in test mode and you will not be charged until billing goes live.

Refunds (draft): lead fees are generally non-refundable once the client's contact details are unlocked. See the refund policy.

Lawbyte's charges are platform and advertising fees for lead generation. They are not a division of legal fees, and Lawbyte never takes a share of what you charge clients. You remain solely responsible for compliance with Rules 5.4 and 7.2 (and state equivalents) and any state lawyer referral service rules. Lawbyte does not claim to be a certified lawyer referral service.

Lawbyte checks your bar license on your state bar's website before listing you. "Bar verified" means your license was checked at listing. It is not an endorsement of your competence or quality.

Lawbyte may suspend or remove your listing or account for false information, ethics or licensing issues, client complaints, abuse, or violation of these Terms.

Keep client information confidential once a lead is unlocked. Delete copies you don't need. Do not use client data from Lawbyte for unrelated marketing or share it with others except as needed to serve that client.

You will indemnify and hold Lawbyte harmless from claims arising from your practice, your advice and services, your content, and your breach of these Terms.

You are independent, not an employee or agent of Lawbyte. You are responsible for your own taxes, including on fees you charge clients.