Scott Venturo LLP respects your privacy rights and we are committed
to keeping your personal information confidential,
accurate, and secure. This Privacy Policy describes
the personal information that we collect and explains
the ways in which we collect, use and disclose that
personal information in the course of our business.
Your Privacy Rights
As of January 1, 2004, all commercial businesses
in Alberta, including law firms, are required to comply
with the federal Personal Information Protection
and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”)
and the provincial Personal Information Protection
Act (“PIPA”). These laws apply in
addition to and not in replacement of the provincial Freedom
of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FOIPP”).
Further, subject to applicable laws, regulations
and rules of professional conduct, as members of the Law
Society of Alberta, each individual lawyer at
Scott Venturo LLP is responsible for ensuring that all
information concerning a client’s business, interests
and affairs that is acquired in the course of the professional
relationship is kept confidential.
What Is Personal Information?
The “personal information” referred to
in this Privacy Policy is any information about an
identifiable individual, but does not include the name,
title, business address, business telephone number
or other similar business information of an employee
of an organization where that information is used for
business correspondence.
What Personal Information Do We Collect?
In the course of our relationship with you, Scott Venturo LLP may collect personal information about you
such as your:
- name, home address, telephone number, facsimile
number and personal email address;
- billing and account information;
- information regarding specific legal issues;
- information incidental to providing legal advice
and services including, but not limited to, personal
information about other parties, witnesses, family
members, beneficiaries, employees, other professional
advisors, business partners, investors, shareholders,
competitors and customers.
Wherever possible we collect personal information
directly from you, but in some instances we may collect
your personal information from other sources such as
your insurance company, real estate agent, employer,
other professional advisors, or government agencies.
Why Do We Collect Personal Information?
Generally speaking, Scott Venturo LLP collects, uses
and discloses personal information in order to provide
our clients with effective professional legal advice
and services. Specific purposes for which we collect,
use and disclose your personal information include:
- Establishing, maintaining, and concluding our
relationship with you, which includes conducting
searches to avoid conflicts of interest, issuing
invoices, administering accounts, and collecting
and processing payments;
- Communicating with third parties involved in the
legal services we provide such as opposing parties,
parties aligned in interest, other counsel and professional
advisors, experts, witnesses and other similar third
parties;
- Informing you of services that Scott Venturo LLP
can provide other than those that you have specifically
requested;
- Implementing your instructions;
- Protecting against errors, negligence, breach
of contract, fraud, theft or other illegal activity;
- Complying with any applicable laws or regulatory
requirements; and
- Any other reasonable purpose to which you consent.
When Do We Disclose Personal Information?
In certain circumstances your personal information
may be disclosed by Scott Venturo LLP:
- For the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy;
- Where you have consented to the disclosure;
- Where we are required or authorized to do so by
applicable laws, regulations and rules of professional
conduct;
- To comply with legal process such as a search
warrant, subpoena or court order;
- Where the personal information is already publicly
known;
- In case of an emergency or where necessary to
protect a the safety of a person;
- Where we require third party services (such as
technical or file storage services) and those third
parties are also bound by this privacy policy.
Scott Venturo LLP does not sell your personal information
to any third party to enable them to market their products
and services.
Consent
The main purpose of the PIPEDA and PIPA legislation
is to ensure that businesses such as Scott Venturo LLP
obtain an individual’s consent to collect, use
or disclose his or her personal information.
Your consent may be expressly given (either orally
electronically or in writing), implied (as a reasonable
conclusion from your actions), or deemed (where information
is given by you voluntarily or where you do not refuse
consent when given a reasonable opportunity to do so).
For example, when you retain the services of Scott Venturo LLP, we will assume that you have provided your
consent in relation to all matters reasonably related
to the retainer.
We also assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that
having been informed of this Privacy Policy and by
continuing your relationship with Scott Venturo LLP, you
have consented to the collection, use and disclosure
of your personal information in accordance with this
Privacy Policy.
Generally, we will seek your consent at the time
that we collect, use, or disclose your personal information.
We may ask for your consent in writing, but in many
circumstances we will accept your oral consent. Sometimes,
your consent may be implied through your conduct with
us.
Subject to legal and contractual requirements, you
may refuse or withdraw your consent at any time by
contacting our Privacy Officer and providing reasonable
notice. If you refuse or withdraw your consent, we
may not be able to provide you or continue to provide
you with the services or information that you requested
from Scott Venturo LLP. Where required by the rules of
professional conduct, we will provide you with reasonable
assistance in finding other legal services.
Is My Personal Information Secure?
Scott Venturo LLP is responsible for all personal information
in its custody or control, and therefore, we take
all reasonable precautions to protect your personal
information from loss, unauthorized access, alteration
or disclosure. Not only is our office physically
secure, but we use technology such as security
software, passwords, and firewalls to protect our
computers and other office systems.
Updating Your Personal Information
Over the course of our relationship, your personal
information may change. It is important that the information
we have about you is accurate and current, and you
will receive the best possible service from Scott Venturo LLP if you keep us informed as changes occur. If we
have any information about you that you can establish
contains an error, let us know and we will take reasonable
steps to correct it.
How Can I Access My Personal Information?
Simply contact our Privacy Officer if you wish to
review, verify or correct your personal information.
Please note that we may require you to put your request
in writing depending on the specific request being
made. Also, there may be fees associated with your
access request but we will provide you with a written
estimate of total costs before we begin any work.
Your access request may be denied in certain circumstances
such as:
- where required or authorized by applicable laws,
regulations and rules of professional conduct;
- where the requested information is subject to
solicitor client, litigation, or work-product privilege;
- where the requested information relates to existing
or anticipated legal proceedings against you;
- when granting your request would unreasonably
impact another person's privacy;
- to protect the rights and property of Scott Venturo LLP;
- where the request is frivolous or vexatious.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
Scott Venturo LLP regularly reviews all of its policies
and procedures, and from time to time we may make changes
to our Privacy Policy. Regular updates may be obtained
by contacting our Privacy Officer or by visiting us
online at www.scotthall-law.com.
Privacy Officer
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy
Policy, or you wish to access your personal information,
or you wish to change or withdraw your consent under
this Privacy Policy, please contact the lawyer that
you ordinarily deal with or our Privacy Officer as
follows:
John J. McDougall
Privacy Officer
#203, 200 Barclay Parade S.W.
Calgary , Alberta
T2P 4R5
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