- Introduction Postell Law (“Postell Law,” “the Firm,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy, security, and confidentiality of personal information entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and safeguard personal information obtained through our website, www.postelllaw.ca, and in connection with inquiries, consultations, and the provision of legal services. We handle personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada) (“PIPEDA”), where applicable, and other applicable Canadian laws. As a legal practice, Postell Law is also subject to the professional obligations established by the Law Society of Ontario’s Rules of Professional Conduct, including the duty to preserve client confidentiality. These professional obligations operate in addition to applicable privacy legislation.
- Personal Information
We collect personal information reasonably necessary to respond to inquiries, provide legal services, administer our practice, and satisfy applicable legal and professional obligations.
Depending on the nature of our interaction, this information may include:
- Contact Information: Names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and organizational affiliations.
- Inquiry Information: Information voluntarily submitted through our website, email correspondence, telephone communications, or consultations.
- Client Information: Personal, financial, legal, and other information reasonably required to assess or carry out a legal matter.
- Identification Information: Information required to identify or verify clients in accordance with applicable Law Society of Ontario requirements.
- Financial Information: Billing details, payment records, and transaction information necessary to administer legal services.
- Website Information: Technical information associated with website visits, which may include IP addresses, browser information, device information, and website usage data.
- How We Use Personal Information
Postell Law collects and uses personal information for purposes including:
- Responding to inquiries and requests for legal services.
- Assessing potential legal matters and conducting conflict-of-interest checks.
- Establishing and administering solicitor-client relationships.
- Providing legal advice, preparing documents, and carrying out legal transactions.
- Communicating with clients and other authorized persons.
- Satisfying client identification, verification, recordkeeping, and other legal or regulatory requirements.
- Processing invoices, payments, and financial records.
- Maintaining the security, functionality, and administration of our website and practice.
- Complying with applicable laws, professional obligations, and regulatory requirements.
- Consent Where required by applicable privacy legislation, Postell Law obtains consent to collect, use, or disclose personal information. Consent may be express or implied, depending on the circumstances, the sensitivity of the information, and the reasonable expectations of the individual. Individuals may withdraw consent, subject to applicable legal, contractual, and professional obligations. Withdrawal of consent may affect our ability to provide certain services or continue a legal retainer. We may collect, use, or disclose personal information without consent where permitted or required by applicable law.
- Solicitor-Client Confidentiality and Privilege Postell Law recognizes that confidentiality is fundamental to the solicitor-client relationship. In accordance with Rule 3.3-1 of the Law Society of Ontario’s Rules of Professional Conduct, we maintain strict confidentiality concerning information obtained in the course of a professional relationship, subject to disclosures authorized or required by law or permitted by the Rules. Our duty of professional confidentiality extends beyond the protection afforded to personal information under privacy legislation and continues after the conclusion of a solicitor-client relationship. Where applicable, communications and information protected by solicitor-client privilege receive the additional protections afforded by law. Nothing in this Privacy Policy is intended to waive, limit, or diminish solicitor-client privilege or any applicable professional duty of confidentiality. Contacting Postell Law, submitting an inquiry, or requesting a consultation does not, by itself, establish a solicitor-client relationship. Individuals contacting the Firm should initially provide only the information reasonably necessary to describe the general nature of their matter. Confidential, privileged, or time-sensitive documents should not be submitted through the website unless appropriate arrangements have been confirmed. Information received during preliminary inquiries will be handled in accordance with applicable legal and professional obligations, whether or not a formal retainer is ultimately established.
- Disclosure of Personal Information
Postell Law does not disclose personal information except where authorized, permitted, or required by applicable law and consistent with our professional obligations.
Depending on the circumstances, permitted disclosures may involve:
- Third-party service providers assisting with secure information technology, website hosting, document management, communications, accounting, or other administrative functions.
- Other legal professionals, financial institutions, government authorities, registries, or transaction participants where disclosure is authorized and appropriate for a legal matter.
- The Law Society of Ontario or other regulatory authorities where disclosure is legally required or permitted.
- Other persons or organizations where the individual has provided appropriate authorization or disclosure is otherwise lawful.
- Storage, Security, and Retention Postell Law takes reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures appropriate to the sensitivity of the information to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, loss, alteration, or destruction. These measures include appropriate controls over access to client records and the use of technology and service providers selected with regard to confidentiality and information security. No method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Accordingly, individuals are encouraged to contact the Firm before transmitting particularly sensitive documents or information. Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or to satisfy applicable legal, professional, accounting, regulatory, and recordkeeping obligations. Client files may be subject to retention requirements or considerations extending beyond the conclusion of a legal matter. When personal information is no longer required, it will be securely destroyed, deleted, or anonymized, as appropriate and subject to applicable obligations. We may engage service providers that store or process information using technological infrastructure located in Canada or other jurisdictions. Where information is processed outside Canada, it may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is processed, including lawful demands for access by public authorities. Postell Law remains responsible for protecting personal information under its control and takes appropriate steps to evaluate and manage the privacy and confidentiality risks associated with service providers.
- Website Cookies and Technical Information Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, security, and performance. Website hosting and related technical services may also automatically process information such as IP addresses, browser characteristics, device information, and access logs. Where website analytics or other optional tracking technologies are enabled, those technologies may collect information about how visitors interact with the website. We will provide appropriate information and obtain consent for non-essential collection or tracking where required by applicable law. Visitors can manage or restrict cookies through their browser settings, although disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. Our website may contain links to third-party websites. Postell Law is not responsible for the privacy practices of independently operated third-party websites.
- Electronic Communications Where Postell Law sends commercial electronic messages, we comply with applicable requirements under Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation, including consent, sender identification, and unsubscribe requirements where applicable. Individuals may withdraw their consent to receive promotional communications using the unsubscribe mechanism provided or by contacting the Firm. Communications reasonably necessary to respond to inquiries, administer an existing retainer, or provide legal services will be handled in accordance with applicable law and professional obligations.
- Access to and Correction of Personal Information Individuals may request access to personal information held about them and may request corrections where that information is inaccurate or incomplete. Requests should be submitted to the Firm using the contact information provided below. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law, subject to applicable exceptions, including protections relating to solicitor-client privilege, confidentiality, and the personal information of third parties. Individuals may also contact us to ask questions about how their personal information is collected, used, disclosed, or retained.
- Privacy Incidents and Breaches Postell Law takes privacy and information security incidents seriously. Where we become aware of a suspected or actual breach involving personal information, we will assess the circumstances, take appropriate steps to contain and address the incident, and determine whether notification or reporting obligations arise. Where required by PIPEDA or other applicable law, we will notify affected individuals and the appropriate regulatory authorities. We will maintain records of privacy breaches as required by applicable law, taking into account our professional confidentiality obligations.
- Accountability and Privacy Complains Postell Law is accountable for personal information under its control. Individuals who have questions, concerns, or complaints about our privacy practices are encouraged to contact the Firm directly so that the matter may be reviewed and addressed. Where applicable, individuals may also raise concerns with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Matters involving the professional conduct of an Ontario lawyer may fall within the jurisdiction of the Law Society of Ontario.
- Changes to This Privacy Policy Postell Law may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in applicable law, professional obligations, technology, or our information-handling practices. The current version will be published on our website with its effective or last-updated date. Where a change requires additional notice or consent under applicable law, we will take the appropriate steps before implementing the relevant change.
- Contact Information Questions, requests for access or correction, or complaints relating to this Privacy Policy may be directed to: Postell Law Attention: Michael Postell 300 Water Street Whitby, Ontario L1N 9B6 Telephone: (647) 771-0051 Email: info@postelllaw.ca Website: www.postelllaw.ca
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