Lawyer Agreement

Scope of Representation 

All work performed through this site is pro bono and constitutes limited scope representation under Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(c) and 6.5. Your attorney client relationship with each user is limited solely to: 

  • reviewing the client’s submitted question, and 
  • providing a specific answer or brief advice related to that question. 

You are not agreeing to ongoing or comprehensive representation. You will not use this site to solicit clients for paid or commercial purposes. 

Outside Communication and Continued Representation 

If you choose to continue communication with a client outside of this site, or if you provide ongoing or extended representation, that work is outside the scope of this agreement. You may wish to execute a separate written agreement with the client for any such continued services. 

Conflicts of Interest 

Before responding to any question, you agree that: 

  • based on the information provided by the client, you have no known conflict of interest or potential conflict, and 
  • you will comply with all applicable ethical obligations under the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct. 

Under Minnesota Rule of Professional Conduct 6.5, attorneys providing short-term limited legal services through a program offering pro bono legal services are subject to a reduced conflict-checking obligation. You are only required to avoid conflicts that you actually know exist at the time you provide the advice. You are not required to conduct a full conflicts check, and a conflict will not be imputed to your firm unless you are personally aware of it. 

This ethical exception applies because the representation offered through this site is brief, limited in scope, and typically does not allow access to extensive information about the client or opposing parties. If, based on the information the client provides, you realize you have an actual or potential conflict, you should decline to answer the question. 

Attorney Identity and Communication 

Your name will be visible to the client receiving your advice. No other personal contact information is shared unless you choose to disclose it. All communication between you and the client is routed through this site by default. 

Data, Privacy, and Security 

State Support will maintain records related to: 

  • Attorney names and a record of the number of questions answered 
  • Aggregate question data 

We are responsible for maintaining the security of this platform and the information it contains. We may review questions and answers to: 

  • Monitor program effectiveness, and 
  • Provide additional referrals to clients when appropriate. 

Content Retention 

All client-attorney communications and related data stored on the site will be deleted three months after the question is closed.  Apart from non-identifying aggregate question data, we do not store this information anywhere else.  

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy. 

Licensure and Jurisdiction 

By participating, you confirm that: 

  • you are licensed to practice law in Minnesota, and 
  • you will answer all questions in accordance with Minnesota law and/or federal law, as appropriate. 

Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools 

Attorneys may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) or other automated tools to assist in drafting or researching responses on this site. If you choose to use such tools, you remain fully responsible for the accuracy, quality, and appropriateness of the advice you provide. 

By participating, you agree that: 

  • You will continue to comply with all applicable Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, including rules governing competence, confidentiality, and supervision of technology-assisted work. 
  • You will not disclose confidential or identifying client information to any AI or automated tool unless the tool is used in a manner that preserves client confidentiality and complies with your ethical obligations. 
  • You understand that AI-generated content may be incomplete, incorrect, or require professional judgment, and you will independently review, verify, and adapt any AI-assisted output before providing advice to a client. 
  • You remain the attorney of record for the limited-scope interaction and retain full professional responsibility for the advice you deliver through this site. 

This site does not require or endorse the use of any particular AI tools. Attorneys are expected to use their own professional judgment and maintain compliance with all applicable ethical and confidentiality requirements when choosing whether and how to use such tools. 

Participation and Account Status 

To maintain the integrity and accuracy of our volunteer roster: 

  • Any attorney who has not logged into the site for two years will have their account automatically deactivated. 
  • Deactivated attorneys may request reactivation at any time by contacting our office and confirming their current licensure status.