Terms and Conditions


ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

Welcome to www.chicagobar.org (the "Site"), a web site provided on behalf of The Chicago Bar Association ("CBA").

The Terms and Conditions of Use include any posted guidelines or rules applicable to particular Content or Services (as defined below) and, as updated by CBA from time to time, are collectively referred to as the "Terms and Conditions" and govern the use of the Site.  You should carefully read the Terms and Conditions before using the Site. By using the Site, you: (i) agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions; (ii) represent and warrant that you are at least eighteen (18) years old; and, (iii) represent and warrant that you have the legal authority to accept the Terms and Conditions. This is a legally binding agreement. If you do not agree to the Terms and Conditions, you are not authorized to use the Site. In the event of a conflict between these Terms and Conditions and any posted guidelines or rules applicable to particular Content or Services, the posted guidelines or rules shall govern to the extent of such conflict.

ACCESS TO THE SITE

Access to certain portions of this Site requires login and password information provided only to members of the CBA (the “Members”).  The login and password are provided for the use of the individual Member only and are not transferable.  If you have obtained a login and password that belong to another person, you are not authorized to use that login account and we request that you notify CBA of the improperly disclosed login account information.  Misuse of a login account, including, without limitation, unauthorized sharing of the login and password, may result, at CBA’s sole discretion, in cancellation of the Member’s account and other remedies, and CBA shall have no liability to the Member.

CONTENT AND SERVICES

The Site may provide certain content (including, without limitation, documents, photographs, advertisements, marketing materials, text, graphics, and images) and services that CBA may change or update from time to time (the "Content" and "Services").  The Content and Services offered on the Site are provided solely to enable users and Members to contact and network with other users and Members and for CBA to provide information on topics of interest.

The ability to transmit Content through the Site is provided to allow users and Members to use features of the site for the features’ intended purposes.  The ability to post Content is provided to allow Members to share ideas and information of interest.  CBA cannot and does not monitor all of the Content posted or transmitted by users and Members.  You are advised to use your best judgment when choosing to participate in any information-sharing activity.  Any disclosures made through the Site should only be made after reviewing and agreeing to the Privacy Policy.  In the event that any posted Content appears to be inappropriate for display on this Site for any reason, users and Members are encouraged to contact CBA in accordance with Section 5 to request removal of such Content.

USE OF THE SITE AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Use of the Site is voluntary.  You may choose not to use the Site and you may choose not to log on as a Member.  The information CBA obtains from users and Members will be used only in accordance with CBA’s Privacy Policy.  You may cancel your login account at any time by contacting CBA at the addresses provided in Section 5.

If you choose to have a Member login account, you agree that you will be responsible for maintaining your password as confidential and for any activity that occurs as a result of your enabling or permitting another person or entity to use your password.  You agree to immediately notify CBA by one of the methods in Section 5 in the event that (i) your password is lost or stolen, or (ii) you become aware of any unauthorized use of your password or of any other breach of security related to the Site.  CBA is not responsible for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with the provisions of this section.

CONTACT INFORMATION

You may contact CBA as follows:

E-mail: info@chicagobar.org
Telephone: (312) 554-2000
Mail:
    The Chicago Bar Association
    321 South Plymouth Court
    Chicago, IL  60604

PROHIBITED BEHAVIOR

You are responsible for all Content that you upload, post, email, or otherwise transmit using the Site.  Likewise, you are responsible for respecting CBA’s and third parties’ rights with respect to Content that appears on the Site and not to download, email, or otherwise transmit such Content in violation of CBA’s and third parties’ rights.  You agree to use the Site solely to accommodate your own personal needs.  You may not use or exploit any portion of the Site to provide any commercial services to third parties or offer any portion of the Site to any third party.  You shall not use the Site or Services to:
  • Upload, post, email, or otherwise transmit any Content that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other intellectual property right, privacy right, or publicity right of any person or entity.  By uploading, posting, emailing, or otherwise transmitting any Content, you represent and warrant that you have all rights to take such action with respect to the Content;
  • Upload, post, email, or otherwise transmit any Content that is illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, pornographic, sexually explicit, invasive of another’s privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically, or otherwise offensive;
  • Misrepresent your identity or impersonate another person or entity, including without limitation, a representative of CBA or its officers, directors, employees, or agents, falsely represent or misrepresent your affiliation with another person or entity, or forge headers or otherwise manipulate identifiers that would disguise the origin of any Content transmitted to or through the Site;
  • Upload, post, email, or otherwise transmit any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, including without limitation, initiation or perpetuation of any “Spam”, “Junk Mail”, chain letters, or any other potentially objectionable form of unsolicited communication;
  • Collect or store personal data with respect to third parties except as contemplated by the Terms and Conditions and then only for the express purpose of providing lawful communication that may reasonably be anticipated by such third parties;
  • Directly or indirectly, intentionally disrupt or interfere with the Site in any manner that may materially adversely affect CBA or any third party;
  • Upload, post, email, or otherwise transmit any material that contains software viruses or any other code, files, or programs designed or known to disable, interrupt, or limit the functionality of any computer hardware, computer software, or telecommunications equipment or facilities; or,
  • Upload, post, email, or otherwise transmit without authorization any material that contains personal or private information concerning any third party person or entity, including without limitation, any phone numbers or addresses, credit/debit cards, calling cards, account numbers, social security numbers, passwords, or other similar information.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

You may not use the Site for any purpose or in any manner that violates any local, state, or federal law or regulation or the law or regulation of any foreign government.  You may not post any information which would violate any copyright or other law, contractual or other rights, or the confidentiality of any attorney-client relationship.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

THE USE OF THE SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.  THE SITE IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS.  CBA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO THE SITE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE CONTENT AND/OR SERVICES OFFERED ON THE SITE) WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.  CBA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACTIONS OF ANY MEMBER OR OTHER USER WHO USES THE SITE.  SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.  CBA MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT THE SITE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, OR WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, CURRENT, ACCURATE, COMPLETE, OR ERROR-FREE OR THAT THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED BY USE OF THE SITE WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE.  YOU UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY WITH RESPECT TO ANY DEFECT IN OR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SITE IS TO CEASE TO USE THE SITE.  YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE-TO-STATE OR WITHIN NATIONAL JURISDICTIONS.

EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT CBA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA LOSS, OR OTHER LOSSES (EVEN IF CBA HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES) RESULTING FROM ANY MATTER RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SITE.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND IMAGES

You understand that the Site may provide the capability to upload, post, or transmit images (such as your photograph or other graphics) to third party users through the Site (collectively, "Images").  You authorize CBA the right to copyright, license, publish, broadcast, display, reproduce, and distribute in any manner the Images.  You understand that the Images may be altered, adapted, or modified in connection with such use, and that your Images may be used alone or in combination with a fictitious name.  You understand that you will not receive any royalties or other reimbursement for permitting CBA to use the Images.  You grant CBA and other users the absolute right and permission to use, re-use, publish, and re-publish Images, with or without your name, or reproductions thereof or excerpts therefrom, made through any medium, and in any and all media now or hereafter known for any purpose whatsoever.  You also consent to the use of any printed matter or other photograph or artwork of any kind without any restriction or limitation thereon, in conjunction therewith.  You also understand that you will have no copyright or other rights with respect to the Images as they are used by CBA or users.  You hereby release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless CBA and any users, from and against any and all claims and demands, including but not limited to, any claims for copyright infringement, defamation, invasion of privacy, or right of publicity, arising out of or in connection with any use of the Images.

DISCLAIMER OF CONTENT


General Disclaimer
You agree that all Content provided by third party users in connection with this Site is the responsibility of the person or entity providing such Content.  You understand and acknowledge that CBA assumes no responsibility to screen or review Content provided as part of the Site.  CBA shall have the right, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion to refuse, monitor, or remove any Content that is available on the Site.  CBA expressly disclaims all responsibility or liability to users and any other person or entity for the performance or nonperformance of the Content review.  THE CONTENT FOUND ON THE SITE MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE OR SATISFACTORY FOR YOUR USE, AND YOU SHOULD VERIFY ALL CONTENT BEFORE RELYING ON IT.  NEITHER ACCESS TO THIS WEB SITE NOR COMMUNICATION VIA THIS WEB SITE CREATES AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP WITH CBA.  USERS AND MEMBERS ARE ADVISED TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE DIRECTLY FROM A QUALIFIED LEGAL PROFESSIONAL FOR THEIR SPECIFIC LEGAL SITUATION.

Disclaimer re Lawyer Referral Service
The Lawyer Referral Service on this Site is provided as a public service.  Users of the Lawyer Referral Service agree to be bound by the applicable terms and conditions.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY


Copyright
The Content on the Site is owned by CBA and third parties and is protected by the United States Copyright Act of 1976, as amended, and the copyright laws of other countries.  Certain materials are used by permission of their respective owners.  The Content of the Site may not be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in any way without the prior written permission of CBA, except that, subject to your compliance with the Terms and Conditions, CBA authorizes you to view or download a single copy of the Content, provided that you keep intact all copyright, trademark, and other proprietary notices.  Modification or use of Content for any other purpose is a violation of the rights of CBA or third parties.

Trademarks and Service Marks
"CBA" and Image are trademarks and service marks (collectively, "Marks") owned by CBA.  Other Marks are used with the permission of their respective owners.  You agree not to use or display any Marks without the prior written consent of CBA or the owner of such Marks.

Reporting Violations
Pursuant to the Digital Millenium Copyright Act of 1998, 17 U.S.C. 512(c)(2), CBA’s designated agent for notice of alleged copyright infringement in connection with the Site is:
Terrence M. Murphy
Executive Director
The Chicago Bar Association
321 South Plymouth Court
Chicago, IL  60604
Telephone:  312.554.2004
Email:  tmurphy@chicagobar.org

To file a notice of infringement with CBA, the requirements specified in Title II of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 must be fulfilled.  The text of this statute can be found at the U.S. Copyright Office web site, located at http://www.copyright.gov.

LINKS

The Site may include links to other World Wide Web sites.  You acknowledge and agree that such links are provided for your convenience and do not reflect any endorsement by CBA with respect to the provider of such linked site or the linked site.  CBA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY LINKED SITE.  YOUR USE OF ANY LINKED SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

INDEMNITY

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold CBA, its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and suppliers, harmless from and against any claims, actions, demands, liabilities, and settlements including without limitation, reasonable legal and accounting fees, resulting from, or alleged to result from, your violation of these Terms and Conditions.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

Users, Members, and CBA agree that this Agreement and the relationship between the users, Members, and CBA will be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without respect to its conflict of laws provisions and that venue with respect to any dispute between the Users, Members, and CBA will rest exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Chicago, Illinois.

CHANGES

CBA may change the Terms and Conditions from time-to-time.  If such a change is made, CBA will post the revised Terms and Conditions on the Site.  CBA reserves the right to add to or change the Site or cease offering the Site (or any

MISCELLANEOUS

The Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between you and CBA relating to the Site.  There is no agency, partnership, joint venture, employee-employer, or attorney-client relationship between any user and CBA arising solely through the use of the Site.  The Terms and Conditions are binding upon your successors, assigns, heirs, and executors.  If any provision of the Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid by any court having competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of the Terms and Conditions, which shall remain in full force and effect.  The failure of CBA to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of such right or condition.  Any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to the Site or the Terms and Conditions must be filed within one year after such claim or cause of action arose.  The section titles of the Terms and Conditions are merely for convenience and will not have any effect on the substantive meaning of this Agreement.


YOUR USE OF THE SITE INDICATES THAT YOU AGREE TO THE FOREGOING TERMS AND CONDITIONS.  IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, DO NOT USE THE SITE.