Service Confidentiality Agreement

Service Confidentiality AgreementWritten byFatima NaeemJuly 15, 2025Share this PostThis Service Confidentiality Agreement (herein referred to as “SCA”) is made and entered into as of [Date, Month, Year] by and between ___________________________________, a law firm in the State of Texas, herein referred to as “Firm,” and ______________________, an online platform, herein referred to as “Platform” (“Firm” and “Platform,” each a “party” or “Party” and, collectively, the “parties” or “Parties”).  I. Purpose  This SCA establishes the terms and conditions under which Platform will provide services to Firm, access Firm Information, and comply with applicable legal and ethical obligations. The Parties have entered or will enter into one or more agreements under which Platform provides or will provide certain specified services to Firm (collectively, the “Agreement”). In providing services pursuant to the Agreement, Platform will have access to Firm Information, including Attorney-Client Confidential Information. By providing the services pursuant to the Agreement, Platform will become a “Service Provider” of Firm. Both Parties are committed to complying with all federal and state laws governing the confidentiality and privacy of Attorney-Client Confidential Information, including, but not limited to, following the applicable American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the Texas Disciplinary Rules …

A young female sole practitioner sitting at her desk working on an upcoming case.

Checklist for Opening a Sole Practice

June 10, 2025Checklist for Opening a Sole PracticeDownload the ChecklistShare this Post☐ Firm Name When choosing a name for your firm, it is important to comply with Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 7.01 governing communications concerning a lawyer’s services, including using trade names. ☐ Entity Formation Decide if you want to form an entity through the Secretary of State’s office. Visit Opening a Small or Solo Law Firm in Texas: Choosing an Entity Structure and Other Requirements for basic information on the pros and cons of different entity types and some frequently asked questions on starting a practice. If you decide to form an entity, you will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Visit the IRS website for information on how to obtain an EIN. If you do not choose to form an entity, you can still get an EIN for tax purposes or use your Social Security number. ☐ Office Information ☐ Office Location – A physical office space is not required to practice law in Texas, making it financially easier when first starting out. Many attorneys work completely remotely these days, depending on their practice area and ability to appear in court remotely. ☐ Contact Information – Once …

Attorney Fee Agreements and Miscellaneous Forms

June 3, 2025Attorney Fee Agreements and Miscellaneous FormsDownload PDF VersionShare this PostCompiled by: Claude E. Ducloux Attorney at Law Board Certified- Civil Trial Law Board Certified – Civil Appellate Law Texas Board of Legal Specialization National Director of Education, Ethics & State Compliance LawPay 3700 North Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 300 Austin Texas 78746 cducloux@affinipay.com In connection with the CLE Presentation entitled: “SIGN RIGHT HERE: A survey of Provisions for your Attorney Client Agreements, from ‘Must-haves’ to Optional Clauses” DISCLAIMER: These sample agreements are provided for individual review and analysis, and are delivered without warranty or representation of fitness for specific use or compliance. The receiver hereof is advised to make any necessary modifications or adaptations which may be required for the user’s specific needs, or for compliance with the user’s applicable practice rules or state statutes.▸ATTORNEY FEE CONTRACT (short form)ATTORNEY FEE CONTRACT (short form) STATE OF TEXAS § § COUNTY OF TRAVIS § WHEREAS, Glen G. Quagmire, (“Client”) desires to employ Peter Griffin (“Attorney”) to represent him in the following legal matter: To file and complete an action for Modification of Custody in Travis County, Texas and to represent Client in any and all claims and defenses to …

Forming a Firm in Texas When the Owner is Licensed Elsewhere — FAQs

June 2, 2025Forming a Firm in Texas When the Owner is Licensed Elsewhere — FAQsShare this PostCan a firm that is incorporated in another state open a firm in Texas? Yes. It is not necessary to incorporate the firm in Texas. However, the firm must be registered with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office to conduct business in Texas. Does the firm need to notify or register with the State Bar of Texas? No. Unlike other state bar associations, the State Bar of Texas does not require firms or lawyers licensed in other states or countries to: notify the State Bar of Texas when a firm is opened or formed in Texas, register the firm or any firm lawyers licensed in other states or countries with the State Bar of Texas, pay a fee, or submit copies of documents filed with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office initially or annually. Must the firm have an attorney licensed in Texas practicing in the Texas office? It depends. If the firm will handle matters involving Texas law, the firm must have an attorney licensed in Texas practicing in the Texas office. The Texas lawyer may practice law as an associate or other …

An attorney using a laptop to access AI features.

AI Platform Evaluation Checklist

June 1, 2025AI Platform Evaluation ChecklistShare this PostDefine Goals and Use Cases Purpose: Identify specific tasks the AI will assist with, such as document review, contract analysis, legal research, or predictive analytics. Scope: Define the boundaries of the AI’s role to ensure alignment with the firm’s or department’s needs. Assess Features and Functionality Accuracy: Evaluate the platform’s ability to deliver precise and reliable results, particularly for complex legal tasks. Customizability: Check if the platform can be tailored to your jurisdiction, practice area, and specific requirements. Evaluate Legal and Ethical Compliance Confidentiality: Assess how the platform handles sensitive client data to ensure compliance with attorney-client privilege. Data Ownership: Clarify who owns the data inputs and outputs, especially for proprietary legal analysis or content. Jurisdictional Issues: Ensure the platform complies with data protection laws and regulations in your jurisdiction. Data Security and Privacy Encryption: Confirm robust encryption for data storage and transmission. Data Retention Policies: Understand how long the platform retains user data and whether it can be deleted upon request. Access Control: Evaluate controls to restrict unauthorized access, such as user authentication and role-based permissions. Review Ethical Considerations Bias and Fairness: Investigate whether the AI is free from biases that could …

Qualifying for an Admission Waiver

May 25, 2025Qualifying for an Admission WaiverLaw Practice Management |Non-Texas LawyersThe Texas Board of Law Examiners is responsible for certifying that applicants are eligible for admission to the State Bar of Texas. The Supreme Court of Texas is ultimately responsible for admitting those applicants as licensed attorneys and members of the State Bar of Texas. The State Bar of Texas is responsible for the regulation and discipline of Texas licensed lawyers.  What To Do if You Require and Admission Waiver Attorneys who are seeking to become Texas licensed attorneys without taking the Texas Bar Examination must meet the eligibility requirements set forth on TBLE’s website. Essentially, you must:  Hold a J.D. from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or satisfy each element of a Rule 13 exemption from the law study requirement. See Rule 13 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Texas.  Be licensed to practice law in another state.  Have been actively engaged in the lawful practice of law as your principal business or occupation for at least 5 of the 7 years immediately preceding your application.  Score 85 or higher on the MPRE.  Satisfy the requirements of Rule 2(a)(5), meaning you are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. …

FAQs for In-House Counsel Not Licensed in Texas

May 16, 2025FAQs for In-House Counsel Not Licensed in TexasShare this PostDo I need to register with the State Bar of Texas?  No. The State Bar of Texas does not require lawyers who are not licensed in the State of Texas to register or pay a fee.  What rule governs in-house counsel not licensed in Texas?  The Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct were recently amended effective October 1, 2024.  Rule 5.05(b) states that “[u]nless authorized by other law, only a lawyer who is admitted to practice in this jurisdiction may hold out to the public or otherwise represent that the lawyer is admitted to practice law in this jurisdiction.”  Rule 5.05 (c) states that “[a] lawyer admitted to practice law in a jurisdiction outside this state, and not disbarred or suspended from practice or the equivalent thereof in any jurisdiction, may provide legal services solely to the lawyer’s employer or its organizational affiliates, provided that this jurisdiction does not require pro hac vice admission.”  The Texas Board of Law Examiners governs admission to the Texas bar, including pro hac vice admission, which is governed by Rule XIX of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Texas.  May I …

Practicing Remotely in Texas When Licensed Elsewhere

May 14, 2025Practicing Remotely in Texas When Licensed ElsewhereShare this PostWith an increase in the number of lawyers who practice remotely, a common question arises: Can a lawyer who is not licensed in Texas practice in Texas? The answer is yes, provided that the lawyer adheres to Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 5.05, effective October 1, 2024, as follows: Cannot Represent as “Texas Licensed” TDRPC 5.05(b) states that a lawyer who is not licensed in Texas cannot hold out to the public or otherwise represent that the lawyer is licensed to practice law in Texas. In-House Counsel Not Licensed in Texas TDRPC 5.05(c) allows a lawyer licensed somewhere other than Texas to provide legal services to the lawyer’s employer or its organizational affiliates, provided that the lawyer has not been disbarred or suspended from practice in any jurisdiction in which the lawyer is licensed and pro hac vice admission is not required in this jurisdiction. Remote Law Practice by Attorney Not Licensed in Texas TDRPC 5.05(d) allows attorneys not licensed in Texas who solely practice federal law or the law of the state or country in which they are licensed to practice law from a temporary or permanent residence …