Terms of Use

Last Updated: February 20, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using this website (emalfarblaw.com), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree to these terms, you are prohibited from using this website. Emalfarb Law LLC reserves the right to revise, modify, or update these terms at any time without prior notice. Any changes become effective immediately upon posting to this website. Your continued use of the website following the posting of revised terms constitutes your acceptance of and agreement to the changes. It is your responsibility to check this page periodically for updates.

2. No Attorney-Client Relationship

The use of this website, including accessing its content, sending an email or message through the contact form, or otherwise communicating with Emalfarb Law LLC through this website, does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship with Emalfarb Law LLC is established only when:

• The firm has agreed in writing to represent you through a signed engagement letter or retainer agreement;
• A conflict of interest check has been completed; and
• The scope and terms of representation have been mutually agreed upon.

Until such a formal relationship is established, any information you transmit to Emalfarb Law LLC through this website is not protected by attorney-client privilege and may not be treated as confidential. Do not send sensitive, proprietary, or privileged information through this website's contact form or by email until you have received written confirmation that an attorney-client relationship has been established.

3. Legal Disclaimer — Not Legal Advice

The information provided on this website is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor does it substitute for the advice of a qualified attorney who is familiar with the specific facts and circumstances of your situation. The content on this website, including blog posts, practice area descriptions, and FAQs, is provided "as is" without any warranty, express or implied, as to its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or applicability to your particular circumstances. The law is constantly evolving through new legislation, court decisions, and administrative rulings. The information presented here may not reflect the most current legal developments in Illinois construction law, mechanic lien law, or any other area. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any content on this website without first consulting with a licensed attorney.

4. No Guarantee of Results

Any prior results, case studies, testimonials, or client reviews referenced or displayed on this website, including reviews from third-party platforms such as Trustpilot, do not guarantee, warrant, or predict a similar outcome in any future matter. Each legal case is unique and depends on its own particular facts, circumstances, applicable law, and the actions of all parties involved. Emalfarb Law LLC makes no guarantees, promises, or predictions regarding the outcome of any legal matter, including the filing or enforcement of a mechanic lien, bond claim, or construction payment dispute. Results depend on many factors beyond the control of any attorney, including the conduct of adverse parties, judicial decisions, and changes in the law.

5. Advertising Disclaimer

This website and its content may be considered attorney advertising under the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Illinois Supreme Court. Portions of this website may constitute advertising material within the meaning of Rule 7.1 et seq. of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements, certification, specialization, or self-proclaimed expertise. Thomas Emalfarb is responsible for the content of this website. The principal office of Emalfarb Law LLC is located at P.O. Box 2011, Northbrook, Illinois 60062.

6. Scope of Practice & Jurisdictional Limitations

Emalfarb Law LLC is an Illinois limited liability company and its attorneys are licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois. References on this website to handling matters in other jurisdictions reflect the firm's ability to work with local counsel or pursue federal claims as permitted by applicable rules. The information provided on this website is primarily focused on Illinois law, including the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act (770 ILCS 60/), the Illinois Public Construction Bond Act (30 ILCS 550/), and related Illinois construction law statutes. This website is not intended to solicit clients in jurisdictions where Emalfarb Law LLC or its attorneys are not licensed, unless representation is permitted under applicable pro hac vice or multi-jurisdictional practice rules.

7. Intellectual Property

All content on this website, including but not limited to text, articles, blog posts, graphics, logos, trademarks, service marks, images, page layout, design elements, and software, is the exclusive property of Emalfarb Law LLC or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, trade dress, and other intellectual property laws. The compilation of all content on this website is the exclusive property of Emalfarb Law LLC. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, publicly perform, republish, download, store, or transmit any content from this website without the prior written consent of Emalfarb Law LLC, except that you may print or download one copy of a reasonable number of pages for your own personal, non-commercial, informational use, provided you do not modify the content and retain all copyright and proprietary notices.

8. Contact Form Submissions & Communications

Information submitted through the contact form on this website is not considered confidential or privileged unless and until an attorney-client relationship is formally established through a signed engagement letter. By submitting information through our contact form, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Your submission does not create an attorney-client relationship;
• The information you provide is not protected by attorney-client privilege;
• Emalfarb Law LLC may use the information to evaluate whether to accept your matter and to perform a conflict of interest check;
• Emalfarb Law LLC is under no obligation to accept representation based on a contact form submission;
• Emalfarb Law LLC will make reasonable efforts to respond to your inquiry but does not guarantee a specific response time; and
• You should not include highly sensitive or privileged information in your submission.

If your matter involves time-sensitive deadlines (such as mechanic lien filing deadlines under 770 ILCS 60/), do not rely solely on a contact form submission. Please call our office directly at (847) 208-6513 to ensure timely assistance.

9. Third-Party Links & Content

This website may contain links to third-party websites, including but not limited to Trustpilot, LinkedIn, legal research databases, government websites, and other external resources. These links are provided solely for your convenience and information. Emalfarb Law LLC does not endorse, sponsor, or control the content, accuracy, privacy practices, or opinions expressed on third-party websites. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and is subject to the terms, conditions, and privacy policies of those websites. Emalfarb Law LLC is not responsible for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on information obtained from third-party websites.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Emalfarb Law LLC, its attorneys, employees, agents, and affiliates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to damages for loss of profits, goodwill, data, or other intangible losses, arising out of or in connection with: (a) your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, this website; (b) any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the website content; (c) any unauthorized access to or use of our servers or any personal information stored therein; (d) any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from our website; (e) any viruses, malware, or harmful components transmitted to or through our website by any third party; or (f) any decision made or action taken by you in reliance on any content provided on this website. This limitation of liability applies whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or any other legal theory, even if Emalfarb Law LLC has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

11. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Emalfarb Law LLC, its attorneys, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees) arising from: (a) your use of and access to this website; (b) your violation of any provision of these Terms and Conditions; or (c) your violation of any third-party right, including any intellectual property, privacy, or proprietary right.

12. Disclaimer of Warranties

This website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without any warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and course of dealing. Emalfarb Law LLC does not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of viruses or other harmful components. Emalfarb Law LLC does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information on this website. No advice or information, whether oral or written, obtained from Emalfarb Law LLC or through this website shall create any warranty not expressly stated in these Terms and Conditions.

13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, their subject matter, or their formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims), shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action, suit, or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms and Conditions or the use of this website shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois. By using this website, you irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts and waive any objection to such jurisdiction or venue on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal, and enforceable while preserving its original intent, or if modification is not possible, it shall be severed from these Terms and Conditions.

15. Waiver

The failure of Emalfarb Law LLC to enforce any right or provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms and Conditions will be effective only if in writing and signed by Emalfarb Law LLC.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Emalfarb Law LLC with respect to your use of this website and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements, whether oral or written, regarding the website. For the avoidance of doubt, these Terms and Conditions govern only your use of this website and do not modify, supersede, or affect any separate engagement letter, retainer agreement, or other agreement you may enter into with Emalfarb Law LLC for legal services.

17. Accessibility

Emalfarb Law LLC is committed to making this website accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to ensure that our website conforms to applicable accessibility standards. If you experience any difficulty accessing any part of this website, please contact us at (847) 208-6513 or tom@emalfarblaw.com, and we will work to provide the information or service you seek through an alternative communication method that is accessible to you.

18. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at: