LegaLine: Trusted Legal Guidance

Legal and business questions come up all the time—and waiting too long or guessing wrong can lead to costly consequences.

LegaLine helps you:

• Get answers early—before issues escalate
• Make more informed decisions with confidence
• Reduce risk exposure
• Stay focused on running your firm or organization

What LegaLine Helps With

LegaLine supports architects and components in addressing everyday challenges, including:

• Negotiating and interpreting contracts
• Managing disputes with clients, contractors, employees, or partners
• Collecting overdue or disputed fees
• Structuring joint ventures
• Incorporating a practice
• Hiring, managing, or terminating employees
• Transferring ownership
• Understanding when to engage an attorney

The goal is simple: help you identify and manage risk before it becomes a larger problem.

How It Works

• Connect directly with experienced A/E attorneys
• Receive practical, practice-focused guidance
• Access support as often as needed through a subscription

LegaLine is designed to provide timely insight and direction, helping you move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

LegaLine provides prompt access to experienced A/E attorneys who can help you foresee and minimize potential issues before they become costly problems.

A subscription costs less than—or about the same as—one hour with an attorney, yet provides access throughout the year.

That means you can:

• Ask questions early—before issues escalate
• Get input on everyday decisions without hesitation
• Access guidance as situations evolve

In many cases, a single call can offset the cost of an annual subscription.

Most importantly, LegaLine allows you to stay focused on running your firm or organization, with greater confidence in the decisions you’re making.

LegaLine is an informational resource designed to support your decision-making.

It does not:

• Provide legal advice
• Establish an attorney-client relationship

It does:

• Help you determine when—and if—you should engage legal counsel

LegaLine is available exclusively to AIA members and is particularly valuable for small firms and sole practitioners managing the day-to-day realities of practice.

Annual Subscription Includes:

• Unlimited telephone consultations
• Prompt access to experienced A/E attorneys
• Guidance on a wide range of practice-related issues

Annual Rate: $385 per firm
New Member Offer: Free 3-month subscription for new AIA members within their first 6 months of membership.

Example questions members ask:

• “A client is pushing back on contract terms—how should I respond?”
• “We have a fee dispute—what are our options?”
• “Do I need an attorney for this situation, or can I handle it another way?”

Note: Check with your local AIA Component to see if LegaLine is offered as a member benefit. If not, complete the subscriber agreement and firm profile to begin your individual subscription.

LegaLine supports AIA components in two important ways: as a direct resource for component leadership and as a valuable benefit for members.

Components often face many of the same business, contractual, and risk-related questions as architecture firms. LegaLine provides a trusted resource when component leaders need practical guidance but may not need to engage legal counsel.

Component Subscription Includes:

• Access for both component leadership and members
• Direct access to experienced A/E attorneys
• Up to 20 calls annually, shared between the component and its members

Annual Rate: $500

How Components Use LegaLine

Component leaders turn to LegaLine for guidance on real-world situations like:

• Reviewing contracts for events, sponsorships, or partnerships
• Navigating HR-related questions, such as hiring, managing, or terminating staff
• Thinking through employment concerns or internal staff issues before they escalate
• Evaluating risk in programs, events, or new initiatives
• Understanding governance or operational decisions
• Getting a second perspective before deciding whether to engage legal counsel

Example questions components ask:

• “We’re hiring a part-time staff member—what should we be thinking about before finalizing the offer?”
• “We’re entering a sponsorship agreement—are there any red flags we should look for?”
• “A situation came up with a staff member—how should we approach it from a risk perspective?”

At the same time, offering LegaLine as a member benefit:

• Provides members with access to practical legal guidance
• Supports firms navigating risk and business challenges
• Adds meaningful value without increasing staff workload

For members who anticipate needing ongoing support, an individual subscription may offer greater flexibility.

LegaLine inquiries are handled by experienced A/E attorneys with deep knowledge of design and construction practice, including contract negotiation, claims, and dispute resolution across a wide range of project types.

AIA Members: Check with your local AIA Component to see if LegaLine is offered as a member benefit. If not, complete the subscriber agreement and firm profile to begin your individual subscription.

AIA Components: Complete the Component Subscriber Profile and Subscriber Agreement to enroll.

Questions or to enroll: (800) 688-9780

Email: support@practicecoachllc.com

Phone hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm PT / 12:30pm–8:00pm ET.

Important Disclaimer: LegaLine services are offered as an informational resource on practice-related topics and are not legal, architectural, accounting, or other professional services. Neither your subscription nor any telephone conversation establishes an attorney-client relationship.