Austin Law PLLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal and legal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your information in accordance with applicable laws and professional ethical standards.
By using our legal services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal information from you during our representation and legal services engagement, which may include:
- Personal Identification Information: Such as your name, address, phone number, email address, and other contact information.
- Case Information: Details related to your legal matter, including any documents, evidence, or personal history that may be relevant to your case.
- Financial Information: Information related to payment for our services, including billing details and payment history.
- Sensitive Information: Any other information that is required or provided in the course of your legal representation, including medical records, criminal history, or other private data relevant to your case.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide you with legal services and advice.
- Communicate with you regarding your case, including updates, requests for additional information, and scheduling.
- Process payments and manage billing matters related to your legal representation.
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements, including the maintenance of client records.
3. How We Protect Your Information
We are committed to safeguarding your personal information and have implemented various security measures to ensure its confidentiality and integrity, including:
- Physical Security: Our offices and records are kept in a secure environment, with restricted access to authorized personnel only.
- Technical Security: We use encryption and secure communication methods for digital communications and data storage, including secure file management systems and password protection.
- Confidentiality Agreements: All employees and contractors of Austin Law PLLC are bound by confidentiality agreements and ethical obligations to protect your information.
4. Sharing Your Information
We respect your privacy and will not share your personal or case-related information with third parties without your consent, except in the following cases:
- With Service Providers: We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist in the provision of legal services (e.g., expert witnesses, court reporters, or IT service providers), but only to the extent necessary for them to perform their services.
- As Required by Law: We may disclose your information to comply with a legal obligation, such as a court order or subpoena, or in cases where we are required to report information to authorities.
- To Protect Our Rights: We may disclose your information to enforce our legal rights, including during litigation or in the defense of legal claims.
5. Client Communication
We communicate with clients primarily through phone, email, and, in some cases, secure messaging platforms. However, we understand that not all clients may have access to email or prefer alternative communication methods. We may use SMS, phone calls, or other secure methods to ensure timely communication regarding important case updates, hearings, or documents. While we make every effort to ensure that our communication is secure, please be aware that no method of communication can be completely guaranteed as secure. You should exercise caution when sharing sensitive information electronically.
6. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy and to comply with legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations. Once the information is no longer needed, we will take appropriate steps to securely dispose of it.
7. Your Rights
As a client, you have the following rights:
- Access to Information: You may request access to the personal information we have collected about you.
- Correction of Information: You may request that we update or correct any inaccurate or incomplete information we hold about you.
- Withdrawal of Consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent to our use of your personal information at any time, subject to the terms of our agreement and applicable law.
- Deletion of Information: You may request the deletion of your personal information, though this may not be possible if retention is required for legal or ethical reasons.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
Austin Law PLLC reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting the updated policy on our website or notifying you directly. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any updates.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us:
Austin Law PLLC
207 E San Antonio Street, Suite 204
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Phone: (830) 475-3425
Email: [email protected]
By working with Austin Law PLLC, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described above.