Privacy Policy

This Website Privacy Policy describes how Samuel Law ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, discloses, protects, and retains information obtained through our website and related communications (collectively, the "Website").

Because we are a law practice, information obtained through the Website may be subject not only to privacy and data-security laws, but also to duties arising under the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, including duties relating to confidentiality, prospective clients, supervision of nonlawyer assistance, and law-practice operations.

By using the Website, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy.

Scope and Purpose

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected from website visitors, persons who contact us about possible legal representation, current and former clients, and other users of the Website.

This Privacy Policy explains:

• what information we collect;
• how we use that information;
• when we may disclose that information;
• how we protect and retain that information; and
• what choices users may have regarding certain information.

This Privacy Policy is intended to support compliance with applicable privacy, consumer-protection, breach-notification, and professional-responsibility obligations, including the Pennsylvania Breach of Personal Information Notification Act and the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct.

No Attorney-Client Relationship Through Website Use Alone

Use of the Website, sending us a message, or otherwise contacting us through the Website does not, by itself, create an attorney-client relationship.

An attorney-client relationship is formed only when we have completed any necessary conflict review, have agreed to the representation, and that representation has otherwise been confirmed as required by applicable law and professional rules.

Important Notice About Website Communications

Persons contacting us about a possible legal matter should provide only the information reasonably necessary for us to determine whether:

• a conflict of interest may exist;
• the matter is within our areas of practice; and
• we are willing and able to consider the representation.

Until we have confirmed that we may consider or undertake the matter, please do not send highly sensitive information, privileged strategy, trade secrets, medical records, financial account numbers, or extensive details that are not reasonably necessary for an initial conflicts and matter review.

Prospective Client Communications

A person who consults with us about the possibility of forming an attorney-client relationship may be treated as a prospective client under the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, depending on the circumstances of the communication.

Whether a communication gives rise to duties owed to a prospective client depends on the circumstances, including the content of the communication, the manner in which information is requested or submitted, and any warnings or cautionary statements provided at the time of submission.

Even when no attorney-client relationship results, we may have professional duties regarding certain information submitted by a prospective client.

Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information through the Website:

A. Contact Information

We may collect a user's name, email address, telephone number, mailing address, and other contact details voluntarily submitted through communications or website features.

B. Initial Matter Information

We may collect limited information about an actual or potential legal matter, such as the nature of the issue, the names of involved persons or entities, general dates, and a short description of the matter, to evaluate inquiries, check for conflicts, and determine whether we may consider a representation.

C. Payment and Billing Information

If payments are made through the Website or a connected platform, billing-related information and payment details may be collected and processed. Full payment card information may be collected and processed by third-party payment processors rather than stored directly by us.

D. Technical and Usage Information

We may automatically collect technical information such as IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, pages visited, dates and times of access, referring URLs, and similar usage data.

E. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We may use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Website, remember preferences, improve performance, detect misuse, and understand general Website traffic patterns.

How We Use Information

We may use collected information to:

• operate, maintain, and secure the Website;
• respond to inquiries and requests for consultation;
• perform conflict checks and intake screening;
• evaluate whether to accept a new matter;
• communicate with users about services, appointments, and matters;
• administer current or former client matters;
• process payments and related transactions;
• maintain records reasonably necessary for legal, ethical, operational, and administrative purposes;
• improve Website functionality, accessibility, and security; and
• comply with applicable law and the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct.

We do not state or imply that all information submitted through the Website will be treated as information from a current client. However, we handle information submitted through the Website in light of the duties that may arise under Pennsylvania law and the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, including duties relating to prospective clients and confidentiality.

Disclosure of Information

We do not sell personal information.

Because we are a law practice, disclosure of information relating to a client representation, and in some circumstances information provided by a prospective client, is limited by professional duties in addition to ordinary privacy-law principles.

We may disclose information only in the following circumstances, as applicable and as permitted or required by law and professional rules:

A. Service Providers Necessary to Operate the Practice or Website

We may disclose information to nonlawyer service providers and vendors that assist us in operating the Website or law practice, including providers of secure cloud-based intake, contact management, matter management, document storage, document management, client communications, calendaring, billing, payment processing, email, hosting, cybersecurity, and related administrative or technology support services.

When using such providers, we seek to make reasonable efforts to ensure their services are provided in a manner compatible with our professional obligations, including obligations relating to confidentiality and data security.

Disclosure to such providers is limited to information reasonably necessary for the provider to perform the applicable service.

B. Website Functionality and Security Tools

We may use service providers and technical tools necessary to operate, secure, maintain, and improve the Website, including tools used for hosting, spam prevention, security monitoring, performance, and related Website functions.

We do not currently state that we use any particular analytics provider. If we later use analytics, traffic-measurement, or similar tools, we may update this Privacy Policy accordingly.

C. Legal Requirements and Professional Obligations

We may disclose information when disclosure is required by applicable law, court order, or other legally binding process, or when disclosure is otherwise permitted or required by the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct or other applicable law.

Where appropriate, we may assert available objections, privileges, protections, or limitations before making such a disclosure.

D. Protection of the Firm's Rights Where Professionally Permitted

We may disclose information to the extent reasonably necessary to establish, exercise, or defend the legal rights of the firm where such disclosure is permitted by applicable law and the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct.

E. Consultation About Professional Compliance

We may disclose information as reasonably necessary to obtain legal, ethical, insurance, cybersecurity, accounting, or other professional advice regarding our compliance obligations or practice operations, to the extent permitted by applicable law and professional rules and subject to appropriate confidentiality protections.

F. Law Practice Transition

If the law practice is sold, transferred, merged, wound down, or otherwise transitioned, information may be disclosed only to the extent reasonably necessary to accomplish that transition in a manner consistent with applicable law, client rights, and the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, including rules governing law-practice sales and confidentiality.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• maintain Website functionality;
• remember user preferences;
• understand general Website traffic and performance;
• support security, fraud prevention, and abuse detection; and
• improve Website operation.

Users may be able to control cookies through browser settings or device controls. Disabling cookies may affect Website functionality.

Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

In handling information relating to legal matters, we seek to make reasonable efforts to prevent inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, such information, taking into account the nature and sensitivity of the information, the systems involved, the risks presented, and the practical operation of the practice and Website.

No method of internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to:

• respond to inquiries;
• conduct conflict checks and intake review;
• maintain administrative and business records;
• administer current or former client matters;
• comply with legal, regulatory, insurance, accounting, and ethical obligations;
• resolve disputes; and
• enforce agreements.

Retention periods may vary depending on whether the information relates to a website visitor, a prospective client, a current or former client, a completed inquiry, a declined matter, or a legal or regulatory obligation.

Security Incidents and Breach Notifications

If we become aware of a security incident or breach involving information under our control, we may investigate, take appropriate remedial measures, notify affected persons, and provide any notices required by applicable law.

Nothing in this Privacy Policy limits any professional duty we may have to communicate with a client about a significant unauthorized disclosure where such communication is required by applicable law or professional rules.

Children's Privacy

The Website is not intended for children under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 18 through the Website. If we learn that personal information has been submitted by a child under 18 through the Website, we may delete that information as appropriate, subject to any legal or professional retention obligations.

Third-Party Websites and Services

The Website may contain links to third-party websites, scheduling tools, payment services, or other third-party services. We are not responsible for the privacy, security, or content practices of those third parties. Users should review the terms and privacy policies of those third parties before providing information to them.

User Choices and Communications

Users may contact us to request that we update or correct contact information we maintain about them, subject to legal, ethical, recordkeeping, security, and operational limitations.

Users may opt out of non-essential marketing communications by following the unsubscribe instructions in those communications or by contacting us directly.

Contact Information

Questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices may be directed to:

Samuel Law
Email: info@samuel.law

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any updated version will be posted on the Website with a revised effective date. Continued use of the Website after changes are posted constitutes acknowledgment of the revised Privacy Policy.