Last Updated: August 11, 2026
GENERAL
Overview
Please read these Terms of Service (the “Agreement”) carefully because they are a binding agreement between you and Lawyers for Civil Rights (“BizGrow” or “BizGrow Central”, “we”, “us” or “our”) and describe your rights and obligations in connection with your access to (1) BizGrow Central’s premises and workspace (collectively, the “Workspace”) and (2) any services provided as part of, or that are incidental or related to, your use of BizGrow Central’s Workspace (collectively, the “Services”). This Agreement applies to Members, their guests, and any other individuals who access the Workspace and/or the Services.
Because BizGrow Central makes the Workspace and the Services available in its discretion:
By clicking on an “accept” button, creating an account, visiting, registering for, accessing, and/or using the Workspace or the Services, you automatically agree to this Agreement, you acknowledge our Privacy Policy at https://lawyersforcivilrights.org/what-we-do/bizgrow/privacy-policy/, and you certify that you are at least 18 years of age and that you are providing truthful and accurate information about yourself.
Individuals under the age of 18 must obtain prior permission from BizGrow staff — in writing — to use the space. Arrangements must be made in advance to ensure that the day, time, and space are suitable for the visit. Users under 18 who are unaffiliated with a BizGrow community partner must also have written parental consent, and their parents must agree to these terms on their behalf.
If you are entering into this Agreement on behalf of a company, organization or other legal entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind such entity and its affiliates, in which case the terms “you” or “your” shall also refer to such entity and its affiliates, which are hereby bound to the terms of this Agreement.
Changes to Agreement
We may change, modify, add, or remove portions of this Agreement (each, an “Update”) at any time and in our sole discretion without prior notice to you and such Updates will be effective immediately. If we make Updates to this Agreement, we will change the “Last Updated” date above. BizGrow will not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the Agreement as permitted herein. Your continued use of the Workspace and Services will confirm your acceptance of each Update to this Agreement.
Privacy Policy
BizGrow may monitor any and all use of the Workspace and Services by you and collect information about your use in accordance with our Privacy Policy for the purpose of optimizing the Workspace and Services. BizGrow may use such data for its business purposes, and may disclose the same, provided that in connection with such use or disclosure, such data and information are aggregated and do not identify specific individuals or businesses.
Please refer to our Privacy Policy for further information regarding how we collect, use, and disclose information about you in connection with your use of our Workspace and Services, and regarding how others collect, use, and disclose information about you. The terms and conditions of our Privacy Policy are incorporated into this Agreement.
USE OF THE SERVICES
Terms of Access and Use
Subject to your compliance with this Agreement and all applicable laws, BizGrow will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide you with a limited, nonexclusive, non-transferable and revocable right to access our Workspace and use the Services for business purposes in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Because BizGrow’s Workspace exists for the shared use and enjoyment of all Members of our community and their guests, we do not guarantee the use of any area of our Workspace, or Services provided therein, at any given time or for any given reason. BizGrow reserves the right to limit or deny you, your company, organization, or other legal entity from accessing our premises or Workspace at any time and for any reason.
Registration and Membership
The Workspace and Services are available only to users who have registered and have been granted accounts (the “Members”) and their permitted guests. Members are obligated to register and set up an account in order to access BizGrow’s Workspace and Services. If you are a Member, you agree to accurately maintain and update any information about yourself that you have provided to BizGrow. We have the right to suspend or terminate Member accounts, Member or guest use of the Services, and Member or guest access to the Workspace at any time and for any reason. Members and their guests may enjoy the following benefits in BizGrow’s discretion:
a) Access and use of the Workspace and Services, subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Community Guidelines.
b) Access to and use of the shared Internet connection in accordance with the BizGrow Terms of Service.
c) Access to and use of the printers, copiers and/or scanners available to all BizGrow Members and guests in the Workspace, in each case subject to availability and payment of any fees applicable thereto.
d) Access to and use of the conference rooms at the premises during Regular Business Hours (as defined below), in each case subject to advance booking and availability as well as the Guest Policy.
e) Front desk assistance while using the Workspace during Regular Business Hours.
f) Any other services you may obtain directly from us from time to time.
The Workspace and Services will only be available to you during the hours specified for our BizGrow premises in the Community Guidelines or BizGrow App (the “Regular Business Hours”). For the avoidance of doubt, the hours that the Workspace and Services are available to you are determined at the sole discretion of BizGrow and may be changed upon notice to you, including through the BizGrow App.
Guests
Any and all access to the Workspace and Services is intended for the use of the person to which it is allocated and is not intended to provide access and use to other parties. Guests are not permitted, other than in connection with BizGrow’s Guest Policy (https://lawyersforcivilrights.org/what-we-do/bizgrow/guest-policy/). The guests will be permitted to access the Workspace and Services only during such booking period. BizGrow reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to restrict any and all access of guests. You acknowledge and agree to the terms of the Guest Policy.
Policy Against Identity-Based Discrimination and Harassment
BizGrow strives to maintain an atmosphere that is free from discrimination or harassment of any kind, including discrimination or harassment on the basis of an individual’s age, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), disability, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.
Policy Against Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment of any kind is unlawful and will not be tolerated. Because we take allegations of sexual harassment seriously, we will respond promptly to complaints of sexual harassment and where it is determined that such inappropriate conduct has occurred, we will act promptly to eliminate the conduct and impose such corrective action as is necessary, including disciplinary action where appropriate. Please note that while this policy sets forth our goals of promoting a workplace that is free of sexual harassment, the policy is not designed or intended to limit our authority to take remedial action for conduct which we deem unacceptable, regardless of whether that conduct satisfies the definition of sexual harassment.
Community Guidelines
You shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized or improper use of the Workspace and Services, and you are solely responsible for complying with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations when you use the Workspace and Services.
You agree to comply with all requirements set forth in our Community Guidelines which may be posted at the Workspace, BizGrow app, BizGrow website or otherwise made available to you from time to time while using Services or accessing our premises and Workspace. In addition, you agree not to assist or permit any person to engage in any conduct that does not comply with the Community Guidelines. Any use of the Services and/or Workspace in violation of these Community Guidelines is prohibited and may result in our suspension or termination of your right to use the Services, your suspension or removal from the Workspace, and may possibly expose you to legal action and damages.
Other Individuals
We do not control and are not liable for the actions of other individuals you encounter through the use of the Workspace and Services, including BizGrow Members or their guests. We do not endorse, support, or verify the facts, opinions, or recommendations of our BizGrow Members or their guests. If a dispute arises between users, we have no responsibility or obligation to participate, mediate or indemnify any party. If a dispute arises, BizGrow reserves the right to terminate the Membership, or with respect to a guest, remove access to the Workspace and Services, of any and all parties with immediate effect and without prior notice to you.
Term, Suspension and Termination
This Agreement will remain in full force and effect until three (3) years after the last date on which you use the Workspace and/or Services. If you fail to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, we may, in our sole discretion, restrict your access to the Workspace and Services and/or if you are a Member, terminate your Membership with immediate effect and without prior notice to you. If your rights with respect to the Workspace or Services are suspended or terminated, you agree to make no further use of the Workspace or Services as directed by BizGrow for the duration of the suspension or indefinitely following termination. We reserve the right (but have no obligation) to investigate and/or take appropriate action against you in our sole discretion if you violate this Agreement or otherwise create liability for us or any other person.
Consent to Electronic Notice
If you provide your email address to BizGrow you agree that BizGrow may communicate with you electronically regarding administrative, security and other issues relating to your use of the Workspace and Services. You agree that any notices, agreements, disclosures or other communications that BizGrow sends to you electronically will satisfy any legal communication requirements, including that such communications be in writing.
Modification to Workspace and Services
BizGrow may, at any time and for any reason, change, update or discontinue access to the Workspace or Services, or any part thereof, with or without notice. BizGrow will not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of Services as permitted herein.
We will give you appropriate advance notice about any major changes, although you understand that we may stop, suspend, or change our Services at any time without prior notice. You may terminate this Agreement at any time by ceasing to use our Workspace and/or Services.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
BizGrow reserves all rights and privileges not expressly granted in this Agreement. You may not take, copy or use for any purpose the name “BizGrow” or “BizGrow Central” or any of our other business names, trademarks, service marks, logos, designs, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trade dress, marketing material, other identifiers or other intellectual property (“Intellectual Property”), and any derivations, modifications or similar versions of the same.
You may not take, copy, or use any information or intellectual property belonging to other Members or guests, including and without limitation: any confidential or proprietary information, personal names, likenesses, voices, business names, trademarks, service marks, logos, trade dress, other identifiers or other intellectual property, or modified or altered versions of the same. If you are a Member, any violation of this information and intellectual property provision will result in Membership termination, and if you are a guest, any such violation will result in removal of access to the Workspace and Services.
PHOTO AND MEDIA RELEASE
Grant of Rights
By accessing or using the Workspace or Services, you hereby grant to BizGrow and its agents, affiliates, successors and assigns the worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable right to: (1) photograph, film and record you and your likeness while you are on BizGrow’s premises or using the Workspace or Services; and (2) reproduce, distribute, display, create derivative works of, publicly perform and otherwise use your name, photograph, likeness, image and voice for and in connection with BizGrow’s business and commercial purposes, including without limitation publicity, promotional recruitment and marketing purposes, by any means, methods and media (whether print, electronic or otherwise) now known or hereafter developed, as BizGrow deems appropriate in its sole discretion.
No Compensation
You acknowledge and agree that no compensation will be paid to you by BizGrow or any BizGrow party in connection with the rights granted under this section. You further acknowledge and agree that BizGrow is under no obligation to use your photograph, likeness, image or voice in any way.
Ownership of Materials
You acknowledge and agree that all right, title and interest, including without limitation all copyrights, in any materials created by BizGrow pursuant to the rights granted under this section, in whatever format, are the exclusive property of BizGrow and that you will obtain no rights in such materials.
Waiver of Approval and Release
You hereby waive any right that you may have to inspect or approve any photograph, likeness or derivative work thereof made pursuant to this section. You understand that in certain jurisdictions individuals have the legal right to control the use of their names, likeness and images. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, you hereby release all such rights and hold harmless BizGrow from, and will neither sue nor bring any proceeding against, any such parties for any liability, whether now known or arising hereafter, resulting from or arising in connection with the exercise of such parties’ rights pursuant to this section.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES; LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
Limitation of Liability
You agree that we will not be liable to you or to any third-party for any use, inability to use, modification, suspension, or withdrawal of the Workspace and Services, or any features, parts, or content of the Workspace and Services. To the extent permitted by applicable law, BizGrow shall not, under any circumstances, be responsible for any damages in any way arising from or relating to your reliance upon, or your use of or inability to access the Workspace or Services, including, without limitation, any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, whether such claims are based in contract, tort, negligence or any other legal theory, and whether or not BizGrow or BizGrow Central are advised of the possibility of such damages.
General Release
You are solely responsible for all claims, injuries (including death), illnesses, damages, liabilities, and costs (“Liabilities”) suffered by you or any third party as a result of your use of the Workspace or Services. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, you hereby release BizGrow Parties (as defined below) from any and all responsibility and liability for the foregoing.
You hereby waive the provisions of any state or local law limiting or prohibiting a general release. You hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to the release of any unknown or unsuspected claims you may have against the BizGrow Parties pertaining to the subject matter of this section.
Indemnification By You
Without limiting the generality or effecting other provisions of this Agreement, as a condition of accessing or using the Workspace and Services, you agree, at your expense, to indemnify and hold harmless BizGrow and its affiliates and its and their licensors, suppliers, officers, directors, employees and agents (“BizGrow Parties”), from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees, settlements and judgments) arising out of or incurred as a result of: (i) your use, misuse or inability to use the Workspace and Services (ii) your failure to comply with any applicable laws and regulations (including any privacy laws), (iii) your violation of any third party right, including without limitation any copyright, property or privacy right, or (iv) your breach of any obligations set forth in this Agreement. You shall not settle any such claim without the written consent of the applicable indemnified party.
For any third-party claim covered under this indemnification provision, we will notify you upon becoming aware of the claim, and you will also defend such claim at your expense if instructed by us to do so. If we or our partners or licensors are obligated to respond to a third-party subpoena or other compulsory legal order or process, you will also reimburse us for reasonable attorneys’ fees, as well as employees’ and contractors’ time and materials spent responding to the third-party subpoena or other compulsory legal order or process at the applicable then-current hourly rates.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION – GRIEVANCE, MEDIATION, ARBITRATION & CLASS ACTION WAIVER – APPLICABLE TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
Grievance
Any grievance, concern, or dispute arising under this Agreement shall be submitted in writing by email to the other party and addressed in good faith within ten (10) business days prior to pursuing any further action or escalation. Grievance resolution shall be informal and based on review and discussion between the parties in an effort to reach an amicable and expedited resolution.
If the dispute is not resolved through the grievance process, or if either party concludes in good faith that the grievance process will not be successful, either party may proceed to mediation as set forth below.
Mediation
Prior to initiating arbitration, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement through good-faith mediation. Either party may initiate mediation by providing written notice to the other party describing the nature of the dispute. Within sixty (60) days of receipt of such notice, the parties shall endeavor to complete the mediation by meeting at a mutually agreed-upon location in Boston, Massachusetts, or by video conference. BizGrow shall select the facilitator or mediator and shall bear all reasonable facilitator or mediator fees and any administrative costs. Each party shall bear the expenses it incurs in attending the session, including, but not limited to, travel, transportation, and lodging.
If the dispute is not resolved through mediation within such period, or if either party concludes in good faith that mediation will not be successful, either party may proceed to arbitration as set forth below.
While the dispute is pending mediation, your access to BizGrow Central will be suspended.
Arbitration
If the parties are unable to resolve a dispute through mediation as described above, any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, before one arbitrator. The language to be used in the arbitral proceedings will be English.
The parties shall meet and confer to select the arbitrator. If the parties are unable to agree, either party may approach JAMS to appoint an arbitrator. The parties shall share the expense of the arbitrator, with the arbitrator’s fees and any administrative costs split evenly between the parties. The required arbitration fees shall be paid in advance and may be paid directly to the arbitrator. Each party shall bear the expenses it incurs in attending the session, including, but not limited to, travel, transportation, and lodging.
If the dispute, claim or controversy exceeds $250,000, the arbitration shall be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures (the “Rules”), and if not, the arbitration shall be administered by JAMS pursuant to the Rules and in accordance with the Expedited Procedures or similar process set forth in the Rules. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. This clause shall not preclude parties from seeking provisional remedies in aid of arbitration from a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
In any arbitration arising out of or related to this Agreement, the arbitrator shall award to the prevailing party, if any, the costs and attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the arbitration. If the arbitrator determines a party to be the prevailing party under circumstances where the prevailing party won on some but not all of the claims and counterclaims, the arbitrator may award the prevailing party an appropriate percentage of the costs and attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the arbitration.
While the dispute is pending arbitration, your access to BizGrow Central will be suspended.
You and BizGrow agree that each of us may bring claims against the other only in an individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding. Further, if the parties’ dispute is resolved through arbitration, the arbitrator may not consolidate another person’s claims with your claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding.
You and BizGrow each hereby waive the right to a trial by jury for disputes arising out of or related to this agreement, and this waiver applies regardless of the type of dispute, whether proceeding under claims of contract, or tort (including without limitation negligence) or any other theory or claim.
Force Majeure
You agree that BizGrow is not responsible to you for anything that we may otherwise be responsible for, if it is the result of events beyond our control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, war, insurrection, riots, terrorism, crime, pandemics and epidemics, labor shortages (including lawful and unlawful strikes), embargoes, postal disruption, communication disruption, failure or shortage of infrastructure, shortage of materials, or any other event beyond our control.
Governing Law and Venue
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States of America, without regard to its rules on conflicts or choice of law. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall not apply to this Agreement.
General Terms
This Agreement, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the sole agreements between you and BizGrow for your use of the Workspace and Services. The section titles in this Agreement are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect. Should any provision of this Agreement be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be modified to the extent necessary to render it enforceable without losing its intent or severed from this Agreement if no such modification is possible, and other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. A waiver by either party of any term or condition of this Agreement or any breach thereof, in any one instance, will not waive such term or condition or any subsequent breach thereof. This Agreement and any rights and licenses granted hereunder, may not be transferred, delegated or assigned by you, but may be assigned, delegated or transferred by BizGrow without restriction. Any attempted assignment, subcontract, delegation or transfer by you in violation of the foregoing will be null and void. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties and the parties’ respective successors and permitted assigns. Certain of our licensors and suppliers may be third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and have the right to enforce this Agreement against you.
Confidentiality
During your time here at BizGrow, you may have access to or become familiar with confidential information regarding the business operations of Lawyers for Civil Rights, BizGrow, or BizGrow Central. This information may include, but is not limited to, client lists, customer lists, member lists, subscription lists, media lists, donor lists, litigation strategy, strategic planning, details of consultant contracts, pricing policies, budgets, projections, marketing plans or strategies, new product development or plans, business acquisition plans, personnel acquisition plans, personnel data, trade secrets, operation methods, and software and computer programs. Some information might not seem to be confidential, but it would be valuable to the competitors or partners with whom we – or our clients – interface and/or conduct business.
Both during your Membership and at any time after you leave BizGrow Central, you must not disclose any confidential information, directly or indirectly, or use it in any way.
Legal Services Disclaimer
BizGrow reserves the right to refuse or discontinue services, participation, membership, or access at any time and for any lawful reason, including operational capacity, program fit, safety, resource limitations, or alignment with our mission.
Participation in BizGrow programs and use of BizGrow Central, including membership, events, meetings, communications, or access to facilities or programming, does not create an attorney-client relationship with Lawyers for Civil Rights or any affiliated attorney.
You understand that participation in BizGrow conferences, legal clinics, workshops, consultations, or other programs does not create any expectation or obligation of ongoing legal representation from Lawyers for Civil Rights or any affiliated attorney.
Legal representation, if any, shall occur only pursuant to a separate written engagement or retainer agreement with Lawyers for Civil Rights. Any referral to outside counsel or to our pro bono network is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.
Non-Disparaging Clause
You agree not to make any written or spoken statements that are intended to, or reasonably could be expected to, harm the reputation of Lawyers for Civil Rights, BizGrow, or BizGrow Central, or their officers, employees, or operations.
Consequences of Breach
Any violation of this Agreement shall constitute a material breach. In the event of a breach, we reserve the right to terminate the relationship immediately and pursue any remedies available at law or in equity.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about our Site, Services or this Agreement, please contact us at bizgrow@lawyersforcivilrights.org .
EXHIBIT A
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES