Terms of Use

A legal disclaimer

Your access to and use of this website are governed by these Terms of Use (“Terms”). These Terms include, among other provisions, an Arbitration Agreement, Class Action and Jury Trial Waivers, and consents to electronic communications, automated calling and text messaging, and call recording. Please review them carefully, as they may be updated from time to time. By accessing or using this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use this website.

Ownership of Website Content

This website, together with all content now or hereafter made available through it—including, without limitation, text, articles, memoranda, reports, bulletins, opinions, directories, guides, images, photographs, graphics, logos, trademarks, service marks, trade names, and other materials (collectively, the “Content”)—is owned by Shepherdson Law, PLLC (“Shepherdson Law,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) or used with permission. All rights not expressly granted are reserved.

No Legal Advice; No Attorney–Client Relationship

The Content provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, career, or other professional advice. Use of this website does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Shepherdson Law.

Any information you submit to us through this website, by email, or through other electronic means will not be treated as confidential or privileged unless and until an attorney–client relationship is expressly established through a separate written agreement. The Content on this website should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with qualified professional advisors.

Attorney Advertising; Jurisdictional Limitations

The Content on this website may be considered attorney advertising under the laws and rules of professional conduct applicable in certain jurisdictions. The availability of information, products, or services on this website does not constitute a solicitation in any jurisdiction where such solicitation would be unlawful.

Disclaimer of Warranties

This website and all Content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

We do not represent or warrant that your use of any Content will not infringe the rights of third parties.

Limitation of Liability

Your use of this website is at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Shepherdson Law will not be liable to you or any other person for any damages, losses, costs, or expenses—whether direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive—arising out of or relating to your access to or use of, or inability to use, this website or its Content.

This limitation applies to claims arising from, without limitation: website interruptions; errors or omissions; delays in operation or transmission; computer viruses or system failures; or the disclosure of information in connection with electronic communications. Some jurisdictions do not permit certain limitations of liability; in such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Website Availability and Access

You are responsible for obtaining and maintaining all equipment, software, and internet access necessary to use this website, at your own expense. We do not guarantee uninterrupted access to the website and may experience outages due to maintenance, system failures, telecommunications issues, or other causes.

We are not responsible for any losses or damages resulting from website unavailability, whether or not such interruptions could have been prevented or mitigated.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Shepherdson Law from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to your violation of these Terms or your unlawful use of the website. We reserve the right to assume exclusive control of the defense of any matter subject to indemnification, at our expense, and you agree to cooperate fully in such defense.

Viruses and Security

We assume no responsibility for, and shall not be liable for, any viruses or other harmful components that may infect or damage your computer, device, or other property as a result of accessing or using this website or downloading materials from it.

Prohibited Uses

You agree not to misuse the website. Prohibited activities include, without limitation:

Using automated tools (including bots, scrapers, spiders, or similar processes) to access or copy Content
Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the website or related systems
Probing or testing website security or network vulnerabilities
Interfering with website operations or other users’ access
Impersonating another person or entity
Using the website for unlawful purposes or in violation of these Terms

If you make a payment through the website, you agree that any restrictive language accompanying a payment will have no legal effect and will not constitute an accord and satisfaction unless expressly agreed in writing. Payments do not establish a payment plan or settlement unless confirmed through an approved agreement.

Geographic Restrictions

We operate in the United States, and this website is intended for use only within the United States. If you are located outside the United States, you may not use this website. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable local laws.

Consent to Automated Calls, Text Messages, and Call Recording

By providing us with a telephone number, you consent to receive communications from us, including through automated dialing systems, prerecorded or artificial voice messages, and text messages, regarding matters related to accounts that are or have been serviced or collected by us. You acknowledge that your carrier may charge fees and that we are not responsible for such charges.

You understand that messages may be accessed by others with access to your phone or voicemail. You agree to notify us promptly if your contact information changes. You may opt out of text messages by replying “STOP.” You may withdraw consent to automated calls by contacting us using the contact information provided on this website.

Subject to applicable law, you also consent to the monitoring or recording of telephone calls with our representatives for quality assurance, training, evidentiary, or other lawful purposes.

Email Communications

By providing an email address, you consent to receive emails from us regarding matters related to your account or relationship with us. You understand that emails may be accessed by others with access to your email account and that we are not responsible for related privacy issues. You may unsubscribe from non-required email communications using the provided links. Some emails may be sent from addresses that do not accept incoming replies.

Arbitration Agreement and Class Action Waiver

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY.

These Terms include a mandatory individual arbitration agreement and a class action and jury trial waiver. This section affects your legal rights.

GOVERNING LAW

These Terms of Use, and any claim or dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of this website, are governed by and construed in accordance with federal law, including the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), 9 U.S.C. §§ 1–16, and, to the extent not inconsistent with federal law, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles.

AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE

At the election of either you or us, any claim or dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of this website—including claims relating to website features, communications, client access, Make a Payment features, EFTA Consent, E-mail Consent, privacy practices, or accessibility—shall be resolved exclusively by final and binding arbitration, rather than in court.

For purposes of this Arbitration Agreement, “we,” “us,” and “our” include Shepherdson Law, PLLC and its officers, members, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, and assigns. This Arbitration Agreement may also be enforced by any party named as a co-defendant with us in a claim asserted by you.

CLAIMS COVERED

“Claim” includes all claims or disputes of any kind, whether existing or arising in the future, including initial claims, counterclaims, cross-claims, and third-party claims, and claims based on contract, tort, statute, regulation, ordinance, consumer-protection law, fraud, misrepresentation, constitutional provision, common law, or equity. Claims may seek monetary damages or individual declaratory or injunctive relief.

EXCLUDED MATTERS

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following matters are not subject to arbitration:

Legal actions brought by us to collect amounts owed to our clients
Legal actions relating to website operation, security, or intellectual property
Individual claims brought in small-claims court that remain in that court
Disputes regarding the validity, enforceability, scope, or interpretation of this Arbitration Agreement (which shall be decided by a court, except that challenges to the Terms of Use as a whole shall be decided by the arbitrator)
Requests for provisional or ancillary relief from a court of competent jurisdiction, which shall not waive the right to arbitration.

INFORMAL RESOLUTION REQUIREMENT

Before initiating arbitration, you and we agree to attempt to resolve any dispute informally.

You must provide written notice of the dispute to us at [INSERT DISPUTE EMAIL].
We will provide notice to you using the contact information we have on file.

The parties will attempt to resolve the dispute through informal negotiation for 30 days from receipt of notice. If the dispute is not resolved, either party may elect arbitration.

ARBITRATION ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURES

Arbitration shall be administered by AAA or JAMS, at the election of the initiating party, under the applicable rules in effect at the time arbitration is commenced. If neither organization is available, a court of competent jurisdiction shall appoint an arbitrator.

The arbitrator shall have the authority to award any relief that would be available in a court of law on an individual basis, consistent with applicable law, including compensatory, statutory, and punitive damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, and attorneys’ fees and costs where authorized. The arbitrator shall apply applicable statutes of limitation and privilege rules.

LOCATION AND VENUE

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties or ordered by the arbitrator, the arbitration shall take place in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

To the extent that any claim is not subject to arbitration, or for purposes of enforcing or confirming an arbitration award, exclusive jurisdiction and venue shall lie in the state or federal courts located within the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the parties consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.

CLASS ACTION AND REPRESENTATIVE ACTION WAIVER

All arbitrations shall be conducted only on an individual basis.

You and we expressly waive the right to bring or participate in any class action, collective action, private attorney general action, or other representative proceeding, whether in court or arbitration.

Claims may not be joined or consolidated with claims of any other person.

If a claim is brought seeking public injunctive relief and a court determines that the class-action waiver is unenforceable as to that claim, the public-injunctive-relief claim shall be resolved in court, while any individual claims for monetary relief shall be arbitrated. In no event shall a claim for public injunctive relief be arbitrated.

JURY TRIAL WAIVER

To the extent permitted by law, you and we knowingly and voluntarily waive the right to a trial by jury for any claim covered by this Arbitration Agreement.

SURVIVAL AND SEVERABILITY

This Arbitration Agreement survives termination of these Terms and any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding. If any portion of this Arbitration Agreement is found unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

In the event of a conflict between this Arbitration Agreement and any arbitration administrator rules, this Arbitration Agreement shall control.

Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites. We do not control or endorse those sites and are not responsible for their content, security, or privacy practices.

Modifications and Termination

We may modify these Terms at any time by posting updated Terms on this website. We may also suspend or terminate access to the website at any time, without notice. Failure to enforce any provision does not waive our right to enforce it later.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Privacy Notice

Our Privacy Notice describes how we collect, use, and protect personal information and is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 1/18/2026