Terms of Service
Last updated: August 12, 2026
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of California Appearances(the "Platform"), operated by Workplace Rights Advocacy / the operators of californiaappearances.com ("we," "us," or "Company"). By creating an account or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms.
1. The Platform
California Appearances is an online marketplace that helps California law firms post court appearance and deposition coverage requests, and helps independently licensed California attorneys discover and accept those requests. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. We do not form an attorney–client relationship with firms or with appearance counsel through the Platform.
2. Eligibility & accounts
You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a binding contract. Appearance attorneys must hold an active California State Bar license (or such other license as applicable for the work they accept) and are solely responsible for compliance with all professional rules, including conflicts, competence, local counsel requirements, and supervision. Firms are responsible for ensuring that any appearance counsel they engage through the Platform is appropriate for the matter.
3. Independent contractors
Appearance attorneys using the Platform are independent contractors, not employees, partners, or agents of the Company or of hiring firms unless they separately agree otherwise in writing. Attorneys control whether to accept any request. Firms control whether to post requests and which counsel to engage via acceptance on the Platform.
4. Fees, payments & taxes
Firms pay the posted appearance fee plus a platform fee. Attorneys receive the appearance fee (budget) via Stripe Connect after a successful acceptance charge. Payment timing, refunds, chargebacks, and cancellations are handled according to Stripe's terms and our then-current practices. Attorneys are responsible for their own taxes; Stripe may collect tax information for 1099 reporting where required.
5. Case materials & confidentiality
Firms may upload documents and case information for matched appearances. Attorneys must treat all such materials as confidential, use them only to perform the accepted appearance, and not disclose them except as required by law or with the firm's authorization. Do not upload materials you are not authorized to share.
6. Malpractice insurance & professional responsibility
Unless a hiring firm and attorney agree otherwise in writing, each attorney is responsible for maintaining appropriate professional liability coverage and for conflicts checks before accepting work. The Platform does not provide malpractice insurance.
7. Prohibited conduct
You may not misuse the Platform, circumvent payments, misrepresent your identity or Bar status, scrape or spam users, interfere with security, or use the Platform for unlawful purposes.
8. Disclaimers & limitation of liability
THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS." TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT that matches will occur, that counsel will appear, or that Bar information displayed is complete. Our aggregate liability arising out of these Terms or the Platform will not exceed the greater of (a) fees you paid us in the three months before the claim or (b) $100.
9. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company from claims arising out of your use of the Platform, your appearances or hiring decisions, your content, or your violation of these Terms or applicable law.
10. Termination
We may suspend or terminate access for violation of these Terms or for risk to users or the Platform. You may stop using the Platform at any time.
11. Changes & contact
We may update these Terms by posting a revised version. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. Questions: mail@wra.law. See also our Privacy Policy.
These Terms are a working draft for the marketplace product and should be reviewed by counsel before production reliance.