Terms of Service

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your use of the website at https://www.shariffinjurylawyers.com (the "Site"), operated by The Shariff Law Firm, PLLC ("the Firm," "we," "us," "our"). By using the Site or enrolling in our text-messaging service, you agree to these Terms.

1. Attorney Advertising — No Attorney-Client Relationship

Texas requires us to tell you that this website is a form of attorney advertising under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct ("TDRPC"), Rules 7.01-7.05.

Responsible attorney: M. Obaid Shariff.

Principal office: 2500 West Loop South, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77027.

The information on this Site is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the Firm. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

You become our client only after we complete a conflict check, you and the Firm sign a written retainer agreement, and the Firm confirms representation to you in writing. Until then, anything you share with the Firm may not be privileged or confidential, and the Firm has no obligation to act on your behalf. Please reach out anyway — that's how we get started.

If you later retain the Firm, communications about the same matter exchanged before the retainer may become subject to attorney-client privilege under applicable law, but the Firm makes no guarantee that pre-retainer communications will be treated as privileged.

The Firm practices only in the State of Texas and does not solicit clients in any other jurisdiction.

2. Text Messaging Service

The Firm operates an SMS / text-messaging program (the "Shariff Law Firm Client Communications" program, also referred to as the "SMS Program") used for case-related communications with clients, including intake, document collection, status updates, signature requests, appointment reminders, limited re-engagement reminders, and occasional firm-update messages to existing clients.

How You Sign Up for Texts

You will receive text messages from the Firm only after you sign a written retainer agreement (wet signature or electronic signature) that includes an SMS-consent clause. By signing, you give express written consent to receive text messages from the Firm at the phone number you provided, including messages sent or assisted by artificial intelligence ("AI") as described below. Message frequency varies based on case activity. Expect multiple messages per day during active intake (typically the first one to seven days after retainer signing) and occasional messages thereafter.

If the client is a minor (under age 18 in Texas), SMS consent must come from a parent or legal guardian, and text messages are sent only to the parent or guardian.

The SMS Program begins only after the formal client engagement begins. The Firm does not text non-clients for marketing or lead solicitation.

Cost

Standard message and data rates may apply. The Firm does not bill a separate per-message charge.

Opt-Out

You may stop the SMS Program at any time by replying any reasonable indication that you want to stop, including but not limited to STOP, STOPALL, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, QUIT, CEASE, OPT OUT, NO MORE, or REMOVE. After we receive your opt-out, we will send one prompt confirmation message and no further texts. Opting out of texts does not affect your representation; we will continue to communicate by email, phone, or in person as appropriate.

Help and Human Handoff

Reply HELP at any time to receive the program name, the Firm's contact phone (832-600-0000), and opt-out instructions. Reply HUMAN or AGENT at any time to be transferred to a live Firm staff member.

AI-Assisted Communications

Some of our text messages are sent or assisted by an artificial intelligence ("AI") assistant. A real person from the Firm is always one reply away — just text HUMAN or AGENT. Every important decision about your case is made by your attorney, not by software.

The Firm uses AI for SMS in accordance with applicable Federal Communications Commission guidance on artificial intelligence under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (including the FCC's February 8, 2024 Declaratory Ruling) and applicable Texas law.

Texts exchanged before a signed retainer may not be privileged or confidential. Once a signed retainer is in place, texts are part of your case file. SMS conversations may be reviewed by Firm staff for quality and case-file completeness.

Supported Carriers

The SMS Program supports most major United States wireless carriers and many mobile virtual network operators; coverage may vary on resellers. T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and other carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Privacy and Data Handling

No mobile information, including phone numbers and SMS opt-in data, will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

SMS data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy at https://www.shariffinjurylawyers.com/privacy-policy/, incorporated by reference. The Firm shares SMS data with its SMS infrastructure provider solely to deliver messages.

Health Information

Texts with the Firm may include health-related information. We handle that information in accordance with applicable law and share it only with people directly involved in your representation. SMS is not an encrypted channel — do not text health information you wish to keep absolutely confidential; alternative secure channels are available on request.

Material Changes to the SMS Program

If the Firm increases the message frequency tier disclosed at opt-in, or shares SMS content with a new category of recipient, the Firm will obtain renewed opt-in consent before that change takes effect for existing subscribers.

3. Privacy

Your privacy is governed by the Firm's Privacy Policy at https://www.shariffinjurylawyers.com/privacy-policy/, incorporated by reference.

4. Acceptable Use

Don't use the Site or SMS Program for anything unlawful, to impersonate anyone, to attempt unauthorized access, to submit false information, or to access the Site by automated means without the Firm's written permission.

5. Intellectual Property and DMCA

All Site content is owned by or licensed to The Shariff Law Firm, PLLC and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, modify, or distribute Site content without the Firm's prior written consent, except for personal, non-commercial use.

To submit a DMCA notice under 17 U.S.C. § 512(c), write to: DMCA Agent, The Shariff Law Firm, PLLC, 2500 West Loop South, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77027, contact@sharifflawfirm.com. Your notice must include the items required by 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3).

6. Third-Party Links

The Site may link to third-party sites. The Firm does not control or assume responsibility for them.

7. Accessibility

The Firm strives to make the Site accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Report accessibility issues to contact@sharifflawfirm.com.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Site and SMS Program are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind.

9. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in this Section limits the Firm's responsibility to you as your lawyers. If we represent you, our duties to you are governed by your engagement letter, the TDRPC, and Texas law. The limits below apply only to your use of this website and SMS — not to our work on your case — and do NOT apply to claims for professional malpractice, gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or any liability that cannot be limited under Texas law (including the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Texas Medical Records Privacy Act, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 181).

Subject to those carve-outs, the Firm will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Site or SMS Program, and the Firm's total liability for any claim related to such use will not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00).

10. Indemnification

If you misuse the Site or SMS Program and that causes the Firm to be sued, you agree to cover the resulting costs. This applies only to your willful misconduct or gross negligence and does not extend to claims caused by the Firm's own conduct.

11. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by Texas law. Disputes arising from the Site or SMS Program will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts in Harris County, Texas. Disputes about legal representation — including malpractice or fee disputes — are governed by the engagement letter, the TDRPC, and Texas law, not these Terms.

12. Electronic Communications and E-SIGN

You consent to receive electronic communications from the Firm and agree that electronic communications satisfy any legal requirement for writing, in accordance with the E-SIGN Act (15 U.S.C. § 7001).

13. SMS Data Retention

SMS content, opt-in, and opt-out records are retained as required by the TDRPC and Texas State Bar guidance (five years after representation ends is a customary minimum). The Firm may de-identify and aggregate SMS data for internal quality and training.

14. Force Majeure

The Firm is not liable for delays or failures caused by events outside its reasonable control, including telecommunications failures, third-party service-provider failures, and government action.

15. Severability, No Waiver, Entire Agreement

If any provision is held invalid, it will be modified to the minimum extent necessary or severed. Failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver. These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any engagement letter, are the entire agreement regarding your use of the Site and SMS Program.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. For non-SMS changes, continued use after the revision date means you accept the updated Terms. For material changes to the SMS Program — a change that increases the frequency tier disclosed at opt-in, or shares SMS content with a new category of recipient — we will obtain renewed opt-in consent before that change takes effect for existing subscribers.

17. Contact

The Shariff Law Firm, PLLC

2500 West Loop South, Suite 300

Houston, TX 77027

832-600-0000

contact@sharifflawfirm.com