TERMS & CONDITIONS

Effective January 15, 2019 (Last Updated October 2025)

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using this Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions, together with the Privacy Policy and Disclaimer incorporated herein by reference. If you do not agree, you must discontinue use of the Website immediately.
This Website is owned and operated by Ronald S. Cook, P.C., having a billing address located at 12 Bank Avenue, Smithtown, NY 11787, United States (the “Firm”).
Your continued use of the Website following any updates to these Terms constitutes acceptance of those updates.

2. Age Restriction and Eligibility

This Website is intended for individuals 18 years of age or older. By using this Website, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements.

3. No Attorney-Client Relationship

Use of this Website does not create an attorney-client relationship. Submitting information through this Website, scheduling a consultation, or receiving general information does not constitute legal representation unless and until a formal engagement agreement is signed by both parties.
No duty of confidentiality applies to information submitted through the Website prior to execution of a formal engagement agreement. Once an engagement is established, communications may be protected by attorney-client privilege and work-product doctrine in accordance with applicable law.
The Firm is licensed to practice law in the State of New York. The Website is not intended to solicit clients outside jurisdictions where the Firm’s attorneys are authorized to practice.

4. Intellectual Property and Website Content

All materials on this Website—including text, images, graphics, logos, videos, and other content—are owned by the Law Offices of Ronald S. Cook, P.C., or used with permission, and are protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual-property laws.
Permitted Use: You may view, download, and print content solely for your personal, non-commercial use. You may not modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works from any content.
Prohibited Uses: Any commercial use, reproduction, distribution, modification, republication, transmission, or other use without express written consent is strictly prohibited. This includes copying content for resale, use in competing services, or incorporation into other websites or applications.
Enforcement: The Firm reserves the right to pursue all available legal remedies, including injunctive relief and damages, for unauthorized use of its intellectual property.

5. Hyperlinking and Framing Policy

External Links to Our Site: You may include a plain-text hyperlink to the home page of this Website in accordance with the following conditions:
• The link must accurately identify the Firm and must not misrepresent or imply any affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
• The link must not appear on any website containing unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate content.
• Use of the Firm’s logo, images, name, or other proprietary graphics in a hyperlink requires prior written consent.
Framing and Embedding: Framing, embedding, or displaying pages of this Website within another site or application is strictly prohibited without express written permission.
Right to Request Removal: The Firm reserves the right to request removal of any link at its sole discretion and may pursue legal remedies for non-compliance.

6. User Responsibilities

You agree to use this Website only for lawful purposes and in a way that does not infringe upon the rights of others or restrict their use and enjoyment. Prohibited behavior includes:
• Harassing or causing distress to any person.
• Transmitting obscene or offensive content.
• Disrupting the normal function of the Website.
• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Website’s systems.
• Soliciting or collecting personal information for commercial purposes.

7. Billing Policy for Legal Consultations and Written Work Product

This Billing Policy applies to all clients and prospective clients who engage or purchase professional legal services from the Firm, including consultations scheduled or purchased through this Website.
All legal consultations and professional services provided by the Law Offices of Ronald S. Cook are billable upon delivery of the attorney’s services, which may include time spent analyzing matters, preparing documents, or providing legal advice.
Service Delivery Formats: Services may be rendered verbally (by phone, video conference, or in person) or in writing (by email, letter, memorandum, contract review, or other document formats).
Non-Refundable Services: Once legal advice, analysis, or documents have been provided or delivered to the client, the service is considered rendered in full and non-refundable. Written legal work product constitutes the same professional service as a live consultation and satisfies the attorney’s obligation to perform the purchased service.
Payment and Disputes: Clients are obligated to pay for services rendered according to the fee agreement and applicable invoices. Unauthorized chargebacks, payment reversals, or disputes initiated with payment processors after delivery of completed legal work are prohibited and constitute a material breach of the client’s agreement with the Firm and may be pursued as theft of services, fraud, breach of contract, or through other applicable legal remedies, including recovery of attorney’s fees and costs.
Fee Agreements: A fee agreement detailing the scope of services, billing rates, and payment terms will be provided prior to or upon engagement.

8. Disclaimers

General Information: All information provided on this Website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice specific to your situation. You should not act or refrain from acting based solely on any information contained herein without first seeking professional counsel from a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
No Warranties: The Law Offices of Ronald S. Cook makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or suitability of any content on this Website. The Firm does not warrant that the Website will operate without interruption or error.
Jurisdiction Limitations: Information on this Website relates to laws of New York and does not constitute legal advice regarding the laws of any other jurisdiction. Users in other jurisdictions should consult with local counsel.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Firm shall not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from your use of this Website, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, loss of profits, loss of data, or business interruption.
This limitation applies even if the Firm has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability, so this limitation may not apply to you in full.

10. External Links and Third-Party Content

This Website may contain links to external websites and third-party resources. These links are provided for your convenience only. The Firm does not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for the content, accuracy, completeness, legality, or privacy practices of third-party websites. Your use of external links and third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their respective terms and conditions.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Law Offices of Ronald S. Cook, P.C., its attorneys, employees, and agents from any and all claims, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of or related to:
• Your use of this Website.
• Your violation of these Terms & Conditions.
• Your infringement of any intellectual property or other rights of third parties.
• Any unlawful or inappropriate conduct by you.

12. Privacy and Data Collection

Your use of this Website is also governed by our Privacy Policy. Please review the Privacy Policy to understand our practices regarding collection and use of your information.

13. Arbitration and Governing Law

Dispute Resolution: By using this Website, you agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or related to your use of the Website or any services provided by the Firm shall be resolved exclusively through binding arbitration in Suffolk County, New York, in accordance with the Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), except as otherwise provided by applicable law.
Exceptions: This arbitration provision does not apply to claims for injunctive or equitable relief related to intellectual property infringement, or to claims for unauthorized use of the Firm’s services or materials.
Costs: Each party shall bear its own costs, except that the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs as permitted by law.
Governing Law: This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms & Conditions, together with the Privacy Policy and any other documents referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Firm regarding your use of this Website and supersede all prior negotiations, understandings, and agreements.
In the event of any inconsistency between these Terms & Conditions and a signed engagement agreement between you and the Firm, the engagement agreement shall control.

16. Changes to Terms

The Firm reserves the right to modify or update these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice. Material changes will be posted on the Website. Continued use of the Website after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms. If you do not agree with any modifications, you must discontinue use of the Website.

17. Contact Information

Law Offices of Ronald S. Cook, P.C.
12 Bank Avenue
Smithtown, NY 11787
United States

For questions regarding these Terms & Conditions, please contact the Firm through the Website or at the address above.