Century Law Firm

Notary Experiences
1

Hi,
I recently did an online training for Century Law Firm. Following the training they asked me to sign a document, which I did not sign. This really doesn’t make sense to me. It feels as though you are signing to be their employee but with nothing in return. Any comments would be helpful. Below is the copy and pasted document.

Client Intake Specialist Agreement with Century Law Firm

This Agreement is made on , (“Effective Date”) between Century Law Firm (“Firm”) and (“CIS”).

Whereas, CIS is trained and knowledgeable on the debt resolution representation offered by the Firm.

Whereas, Firm will employ CIS to assist in the sale of Firm’s services to consumers who are experiencing financial hardships and formidable debt burdens.

  1. Service and/or Duties

Firm and CIS agree that CIS’s duty is to provide sales, and prospective client support though in-person sales presentations and information assistance. The in-person sales presentation will provide a prospective client with all relevant information concerning Firm’s debt resolution representation; the CIS will answer any questions to the extent of their authority.

  1. Compensation

Firm agrees to compensate CIS for services rendered hereunder pursuant to the compensation agreement between Firm and CIS.

  1. Effective Date, Term, and Termination

This Agreement begins on the Effective date and shall continue until either Firm or CIS terminates same in writing.

  1. Severability

The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

  1. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving and such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

  1. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia.

  1. Attorney’s Fees

In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all sums that either party may be ordered to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party’s attorney fees.

  1. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party

shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

  1. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

  1. Assignment of Rights

The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date fist above stated.

Erik Rosskopf

Client Intake Specialist Signature Century Law Firm Signature

Printed Name Printed Name

2

@christivanderbilt Once I read to the excerpted quotation statement above, I stopped reading . . .

This type of signing order would be a HARD PASS for me & for most of the business owners/Professional Signing Agents [PSAs] due to the high potential risk of being affiliated with this type of transaction.

.
.

Caveat Venditor!

:swan:

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3

Thank you for your feedback. Yeah I am not a fan of “assist in the sale of Firm’s services”

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4

@christivanderbilt The “echoes” of offloading responsibility onto the ‘presenter’/‘representative’ are cause for pause.

Terms about ‘arbitration’ and involved ‘parties,’ etc., etc., etc.

.

Definitively a HARD PASS

:swan:

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5

Went no farther than this statement - oh HE** NO!!! I present docs for signature and notarize if needed…I don’t sell anything to anyone. And believe me, you don’t want to get involved with debt resolution.

Yes, sounds like you’d be an “employee” - at least in their mind.

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6

What was your goal or expected outcome from the training? Were you anticipating an opportunity to provide notarial services? Based on the contract, it seems the role is more focused on sales and client support rather than notarial work.

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7

They said I would be on the preferred notary list. I assumed it was because they wanted to ensure that there were no mistakes. They didn’t even go over the signed documents. I’m glad I didn’t sign and I trusted my gut. Thank you for the feedback.

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8

@christivanderbilt Concur :100: percent with your excerpted insight.

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Always good to do so . . .

:swan:

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9

Looks pretty standard to me.

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10

This is an Agreement that most knowledgeable Professional Signing Agents [PSAs] would NEVER agree to/execute for self-explanatory reasons.

  • Always read the fine print
  • Remember it’s YOUR BUSINESS that is being placed At-Risk
  • If someone says ‘looks good to them’ it certainly doesn’t mean there are no risks
  • This Agreement is fraught with high potential risks

AVOID

Caveat Venditor

:swan:

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11

I took the training, and I have yet to receive an order. They are sending me emails to take additional training in fact.

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12

@johnsonps306 all due respect, but there is nothing “pretty standard” about this agreement between a company and an IC Notary Public…especially this.. “Firm and CIS agree that CIS’s duty is to provide sales, and prospective client support though in-person sales presentations and information assistance”

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13

True enough it’s not a notary agreement. But it’s not unusual contract language. I should have just not commented sorry about that.

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14

@johnsonps306 No, you absolutely should comment. everyone here is entitled to comment - and disagree/debate at times - as long as it’s done respectfully.

There was nothing wrong with you commenting at all - but language like this is why we “oldies” always tell folks to make sure they carefully read these agreements before signing - so one knows what they’re signing up for.

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15

Back when I did mobile notary work for pay, I never accepted any debt resolution assignments. The only credit counseling service I would ever think about having anything to do with is a non-profit one that’s recommended by Vermont 211. But the only recommended credit counseling service in Vermont doesn’t use mobile notaries.

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16

The way I read this is that if there’s a lawsuit, you would be included.

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17

Stay away from Debt Resolution or Debt Settlement signings. Your Notary E&O will not cover you.

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18

This is an independent contractor agreement for a Client Intake Specialist, and that would not be our capacity as a notary public or public official. Some people see a debt resolution or settlement as a solution, and I do understand that it can be useful in some circumstances. This agreement has some unacceptable provisions for me, so I won’t sign it. I’ve done a few debt settlements in the past, but I don’t agree with being a representative or making any presentations. That’s just my personal position and I do not express it with the public, only just in this forum.

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19

AN FYI TO ALL NOTARY CAFE MEMBERS:

The Notary Cafe forum ==>> IS <<== a public forum & ergo, the threads & posts therein are being expressed PUBLICLY.

.

:swan:

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cNsa5, maybe I should clarify, I do not express my opinion with customers.

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