Agreement to these terms

The Law Office of J.R. Howell ("we," "us," "our") operates the website at https://lojrh.com (the "Site"). These terms (the "Legal Terms") govern the Site and any other related products and services that refer or link to them (collectively, the "Services").

These Legal Terms constitute a legally binding agreement made between you, whether personally or on behalf of an entity (“you”), and Law Office of J.R. Howell, concerning your access to and use of the Services. You agree that by accessing the Services, you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by all of these Legal Terms. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ALL OF THESE LEGAL TERMS, THEN YOU ARE EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED FROM USING THE SERVICES AND YOU MUST DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY.

General information

The website provides general information about the practice, its experience and related subjects. Its content is not legal advice for any particular person or matter. Legal questions depend on facts, jurisdiction and current law. Information on the website may become outdated.

Inquiries and representation

Visiting the website, sending an inquiry or receiving general information does not by itself establish an attorney-client relationship. The office will confirm any agreed representation and its scope separately. An inquiry does not mean that the office has agreed to investigate a matter, protect a deadline or take any action on your behalf.

Please provide only a brief, nonconfidential description when first contacting the office. Do not send confidential documents or sensitive information unless requested through an appropriate channel. Applicable duties concerning prospective clients and confidential information remain in effect.

Jurisdiction and professional experience

J.R. Howell is licensed to practice law in California and limits his practice to that state. Descriptions of past work and court appearances are statements of experience. They do not represent admission to practice in every jurisdiction or court.

Results depend on the facts and circumstances of each matter. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Website materials

The website's text, design, logo and other materials are owned by the office or used with permission, except as otherwise indicated. You may read, link to and print or save reasonable portions for personal reference or internal business use while retaining any ownership notices. Uses permitted by law, including fair use, remain available.

For other permission requests, contact jr@lojrh.com. Sending an inquiry does not transfer ownership of your documents or other materials to the office.

Appropriate use

Do not use the website to introduce malicious software, attempt unauthorized access, interfere with its operation, impersonate another person or engage in unlawful conduct. The office may take reasonable steps to protect the website and its users.

External links

Links are provided for reference. Other websites have their own content, terms and privacy practices. A link does not by itself imply an endorsement or a professional relationship with the other website's operator.

Availability and corrections

The website may be changed or temporarily unavailable. If you identify an error or encounter an accessibility problem, please contact the office. Do not rely on the website's availability to protect a filing deadline or other legal interest.

Privacy

The Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy describe information practices associated with the website. These terms do not require a waiver of privacy rights, confidentiality protections or professional duties.

Governing law

These Legal Terms and your use of the Services are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to agreements made and to be entirely performed within the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Dispute resolution

Informal negotiations

To expedite resolution and control the cost of any dispute, controversy, or claim related to these Legal Terms (each a “Dispute” and collectively, the “Disputes”) brought by either you or us (individually, a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”), the Parties agree to first attempt to negotiate any Dispute (except those Disputes expressly provided below) informally for at least thirty (30) days before initiating arbitration. Such informal negotiations commence upon written notice from one Party to the other Party.

Binding arbitration

If the Parties are unable to resolve a Dispute through informal negotiations, the Dispute (except those Disputes expressly excluded below) will be finally and exclusively resolved by binding arbitration. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WITHOUT THIS PROVISION, YOU WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE IN COURT AND HAVE A JURY TRIAL. The arbitration shall be commenced and conducted under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) and, where appropriate, the AAA’s Supplementary Procedures for Consumer Related Disputes (“AAA Consumer Rules”), both of which are available at the American Arbitration Association (AAA) website. Your arbitration fees and your share of arbitrator compensation shall be governed by the AAA Consumer Rules and, where appropriate, limited by the AAA Consumer Rules. The arbitration may be conducted in person, through the submission of documents, by phone, or online. The arbitrator will make a decision in writing, but need not provide a statement of reasons unless requested by either Party. The arbitrator must follow applicable law, and any award may be challenged if the arbitrator fails to do so. Except where otherwise required by the applicable AAA rules or applicable law, the arbitration will take place in Santa Monica, California. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Parties may litigate in court to compel arbitration, stay proceedings pending arbitration, or to confirm, modify, vacate, or enter judgment on the award entered by the arbitrator.

If for any reason, a Dispute proceeds in court rather than arbitration, the Dispute shall be commenced or prosecuted in the state and federal courts located in Santa Monica, California, and the Parties hereby consent to, and waive all defenses of lack of personal jurisdiction, and forum non conveniens with respect to venue and jurisdiction in such state and federal courts. Application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and the Uniform Computer Information Transaction Act (UCITA) is excluded from these Legal Terms.

In no event shall any Dispute brought by either Party related in any way to the Services be commenced more than one (1) year after the cause of action arose. If this provision is found to be illegal or unenforceable, then neither Party will elect to arbitrate any Dispute falling within that portion of this provision found to be illegal or unenforceable and such Dispute shall be decided by a court of competent jurisdiction within the courts listed for jurisdiction above, and the Parties agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of that court.

Class-action waiver and other restrictions

The Parties agree that any arbitration shall be limited to the Dispute between the Parties individually. To the full extent permitted by law, (a) no arbitration shall be joined with any other proceeding; (b) there is no right or authority for any Dispute to be arbitrated on a class-action basis or to utilize class action procedures; and (c) there is no right or authority for any Dispute to be brought in a purported representative capacity on behalf of the general public or any other persons.

Exceptions to informal negotiations and arbitration

The Parties agree that the following Disputes are not subject to the above provisions concerning informal negotiations and binding arbitration: (a) any Disputes seeking to enforce or protect, or concerning the validity of, any of the intellectual property rights of a Party; (b) any Dispute related to, or arising from, allegations of theft, piracy, invasion of privacy, or unauthorized use; and (c) any claim for injunctive relief. If this provision is found to be illegal or unenforceable, then neither Party will elect to arbitrate any Dispute falling within that portion of this provision found to be illegal or unenforceable and such Dispute shall be decided by a court of competent jurisdiction within the courts listed for jurisdiction above, and the Parties agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of that court.

Changes to these terms

The office may revise these terms. The current version will state its effective date. Changes to website terms do not amend an existing engagement agreement or eliminate rights that cannot lawfully be waived.

Contact

Law Office of J.R. Howell

2219 Main Street, Suite 436

Santa Monica, CA 90405

jr@lojrh.com

(323) 897-8656