1. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through websites and online services operated by Grisham & Poole, P.C. that display or link to this policy.

It applies when you:

• Visit or browse our website;
• Submit a contact or consultation form;
• Call, email or text the firm using information found on the website;
• Schedule a consultation through an online service;
• Make an online payment;
• Subscribe to a newsletter or other communication;
• Respond to an online advertisement; or
• Otherwise interact with an online service that links to this policy.

This policy does not govern independently operated websites or services that have their own privacy policies.

2. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you interact with the website and the services you request.

Information You Provide Directly

You may provide information such as:

• Your name;
• Email address;
• Telephone number;
• Mailing address;
• Preferred contact method;
• The type of legal matter involved;
• County, court, hearing date or case information;
• Names of people or organizations connected to the matter;
• Information included in a consultation request or message;
• Documents or files you choose to provide;
• Appointment and scheduling information;
• Billing and payment-related information;
• Communication preferences; and
• Other information you voluntarily submit.

Sensitive Information

A legal inquiry may involve sensitive information, including details about criminal allegations, family relationships, children, medical conditions, finances, domestic violence, employment or other personal circumstances.

Please do not submit Social Security numbers, complete payment-card numbers, account passwords, medical records, privileged documents or other highly sensitive information through a general website form unless the firm has specifically instructed you to use an approved secure method.

Information Collected Automatically

When you use the website, we and our service providers may automatically collect information such as:

• Internet Protocol address;
• Browser type and version;
• Device type and operating system;
• Approximate geographic location derived from an IP address;
• Language and time-zone settings;
• Pages viewed and links selected;
• Date, time and duration of a visit;
• Referring and exit pages;
• Search terms that led to the website;
• Cookie, advertising or device identifiers;
• General interaction and conversion information;
• Diagnostic, performance and error data; and
• Information used to detect fraud, abuse or security threats.

Some of this information may qualify as personal information under applicable privacy laws, even when it does not directly identify you by name.

3. How We Collect Information

We may collect information:

• Directly from you;
• From a family member or another person contacting us for you;
• From referral sources;
• From publicly available records and websites;
• From courts, government agencies and professional directories;
• From analytics, advertising and security providers;
• From payment, scheduling and communication providers;
• From social-media platforms when you interact with our content; and
• From other sources when permitted by law.

4. How We Use Information

We may use information to:

• Respond to questions and consultation requests;
• Determine which attorney or practice group should review an inquiry;
• Conduct conflict-of-interest checks;
• Evaluate whether the firm may accept a legal matter;
• Schedule and conduct consultations;
• Communicate about appointments, inquiries and legal services;
• Provide legal services after representation begins;
• Process authorized payments and maintain billing records;
• Operate, maintain and improve the website;
• Understand how visitors find and use the website;
• Measure website performance and marketing effectiveness;
• Present advertisements to potentially interested audiences;
• Prevent spam, fraud, malware and unauthorized access;
• Protect the firm, its clients, website users and other people;
• Comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations;
• Establish, exercise or defend legal rights; and
• Carry out another purpose disclosed when information is collected.

5. Legal Inquiries and Confidential Information

Visiting this website, submitting a form, calling the firm, sending an email, making a payment or communicating with a firm representative does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.

Grisham & Poole accepts a matter only after the firm has reviewed the circumstances, completed any required conflict check, agreed to the representation and entered into an engagement agreement when required.

Professional obligations may apply to certain communications from prospective clients. However, you should not assume that every unsolicited communication is confidential or privileged.

Please do not send confidential, privileged or time-sensitive information until the firm confirms that it can consider or accept your matter and provides an appropriate method for sharing the information.

Information submitted before representation begins may be retained for conflict checks, legal compliance, security, recordkeeping or the defense of potential claims.

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We and our service providers may use cookies, pixels, tags, scripts, local storage and similar technologies. These technologies help the website function, remember preferences, measure activity, prevent abuse and evaluate advertising.

You can adjust many cookies through your browser. When the website provides a cookie-preference tool, you may also use that tool to manage nonessential cookies.

Blocking cookies may affect certain website features. Necessary technologies may remain active because they support security and core website functions.

7. Analytics and Advertising

We may use analytics services, such as Google Analytics, to understand how visitors find and use the website. Analytics providers may process device information, IP addresses, cookie identifiers, referral information and browsing activity.

We may also use advertising services, including Google Ads or similar platforms, to:

• Measure whether advertisements lead to website visits or inquiries;
• Create general audience reports;
• Present advertisements to previous website visitors;
• Limit how often advertisements appear; and
• Improve advertising relevance and performance.

Advertising providers may recognize your browser or device across different websites. Depending on your location, privacy law may characterize some of these disclosures as “sharing,” targeted advertising or a “sale” of personal information, even when no money is exchanged.

The website may also use Google reCAPTCHA or a similar security service to distinguish legitimate users from automated abuse. These services may collect device, browser, interaction and network information under their own privacy policies.

You can learn more about Google’s handling of information by reviewing the Google Privacy Policy .

8. When We Disclose Information

We do not disclose personal information indiscriminately. We may disclose information in the following circumstances.

Within the Firm

Attorneys, employees, contractors and authorized representatives may access information when reasonably necessary to review an inquiry, conduct a conflict check, schedule a consultation, provide legal services, process payment or perform administrative functions.

Service Providers

We may provide information to companies that support our operations, including providers of:

• Website hosting and maintenance;
• Email, telephone and text communications;
• Cloud storage and document management;
• Client-intake and case-management systems;
• Scheduling and video conferencing;
• Payment processing and accounting;
• Analytics and advertising;
• Cybersecurity, spam prevention and fraud detection;
• Data backup and recovery; and
• Professional consulting and technical support.

We expect service providers to use information only for authorized purposes and to apply appropriate safeguards, subject to their agreements and legal obligations.

Legal Services and Case Administration

After an attorney-client relationship begins, we may disclose information as reasonably necessary to provide legal services, including disclosures to courts, opposing counsel, co-counsel, expert witnesses, investigators, consultants, mediators, court reporters, government agencies and other participants in a legal matter.

Those disclosures remain subject to applicable law, professional obligations and the scope of the representation.

Legal and Safety Requirements

We may disclose information when we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable law or professional obligations;
• Respond to a subpoena, court order or lawful government request;
• Protect the rights, property or safety of the firm or another person;
• Prevent or investigate fraud, abuse, threats or security incidents;
• Enforce our agreements and website terms; or
• Establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

Business and Organizational Changes

Information may be transferred as part of a merger, reorganization, succession, financing, sale of assets or another organizational transaction, subject to applicable legal and professional obligations.

With Your Direction or Consent

We may disclose information when you direct us to do so, consent to the disclosure or ask us to communicate with another person or organization.

9. Sale and Sharing of Personal Information

Grisham & Poole does not sell client information. We do not sell personal information to third parties in exchange for money.

As described above, analytics and advertising technologies may involve disclosures of website activity, cookie identifiers, device information or similar data to advertising providers. Some privacy laws may define those disclosures as a “sale,” “sharing” or targeted advertising.

Where applicable law gives you the right to opt out, you may submit a request using the methods described in the Your Privacy Rights and Choices section. You may also use any cookie-preference or “Your Privacy Choices” control made available on the website.

We do not knowingly sell or share the personal information of children under 16 for targeted advertising.

10. Online Payments

The website may link to or integrate with a third-party payment provider. The payment provider may collect payment-card numbers, security codes, billing addresses and other transaction information directly from you.

Grisham & Poole may receive limited transaction information, such as:

• The payor’s name and contact information;
• The amount and date of payment;
• The matter or client reference;
• Payment status;
• Transaction identifiers; and
• Limited payment-method details, such as the last four digits.

The payment provider processes payment information under its own terms and privacy policy. Making an online payment does not create an attorney-client relationship or confirm that the firm has accepted a legal matter.

11. Email, Telephone and Text Communications

When you provide contact information, we may use it to respond to your inquiry, schedule a consultation, provide requested information, communicate about legal services or send administrative messages.

Email

Ordinary email is not always secure. Do not use standard email to send passwords, complete financial information, highly sensitive records or urgent legal instructions unless the firm directs you to do so.

Telephone Calls

We may maintain call records, voicemail messages and information about the date, time and duration of calls. When permitted by law, calls may be monitored or recorded for training, quality, security or recordkeeping after any required notice is provided.

Text Messages

If you ask or agree to communicate by text message, we may send appointment reminders, responses to inquiries and other service-related messages. Message and data rates may apply.

You may ask us to stop nonessential text messages by replying STOP. You may request assistance by replying HELP or contacting the firm.

We do not sell mobile telephone numbers or text-message consent information. We do not disclose that information to third parties for their independent marketing.

Marketing Communications

When legally permitted, we may send newsletters, legal updates or marketing communications. You may unsubscribe by using the link in an email or contacting the firm.

Unsubscribing from marketing does not prevent us from sending communications concerning an inquiry, appointment, payment, active matter or other service-related issue.

12. Data Retention

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

• Responding to and documenting inquiries;
• Conducting current and future conflict checks;
• Providing legal services;
• Maintaining financial and business records;
• Complying with legal and professional obligations;
• Protecting against fraud and security threats;
• Enforcing agreements;
• Establishing or defending legal claims; and
• Maintaining backup and disaster-recovery systems.

Retention periods vary based on the type of information, the status of an inquiry or matter, applicable law, professional obligations, limitation periods, security requirements and the terms of any engagement agreement.

Backup copies may remain for a limited period after information is removed from active systems.

13. Information Security

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

Safeguards may include:

• Secure hosting and encrypted network connections;
• Access controls and authentication requirements;
• Malware, spam and intrusion protection;
• Software maintenance and security updates;
• Backup and recovery procedures;
• Vendor and service-provider controls;
• Employee training; and
• Incident-response procedures.

No website, email system, internet transmission or storage service can guarantee complete security. You submit information online at your own risk.

If we discover a security incident involving personal information, we will investigate and provide notice when required by applicable law.

14. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

Depending on where you live and the law that applies, you may have the right to:

• Ask whether we process your personal information;
• Request access to certain personal information;
• Request correction of inaccurate information;
• Request deletion of certain information;
• Request a portable copy of certain information;
• Restrict or object to certain processing;
• Opt out of targeted advertising, sale or sharing;
• Withdraw consent where processing depends on consent;
• Appeal the denial of a privacy request where applicable; and
• Receive equal service without unlawful discrimination.

These rights are subject to exceptions. For example, we may retain information when necessary to:

• Complete a requested service;
• Conduct conflict checks;
• Comply with legal or professional obligations;
• Protect legal privileges;
• Maintain security and prevent fraud;
• Keep required business records; or
• Establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

How to Submit a Privacy Request

You may submit a request by:

• Calling 678-880-9360;
• Using our contact form and identifying the message as a “Privacy Request”; or
• Mailing a request to the address listed in the Contact Us About Privacy section.

Please describe your request and provide enough information for us to locate the relevant records.

Identity Verification

We may need to verify your identity before completing a privacy request. We will request only information reasonably necessary for verification. We may decline a request when we cannot verify the requester or when an exception applies.

Authorized Agents

Where permitted by law, an authorized agent may submit a request for you. We may require evidence of the agent’s authority and may contact you directly to confirm the request.

Browser Privacy Signals

Where required by applicable law and supported by our systems, we will process recognized browser-based opt-out signals, such as Global Privacy Control, as a request to opt out of applicable sale, sharing or targeted advertising for that browser or device.

15. Rights Under State Privacy Laws

Residents of certain states may have additional privacy rights. Those rights may include access, correction, deletion, portability, limitation of sensitive-information use and the right to opt out of sale, sharing, targeted advertising or qualifying automated decision-making.

We honor applicable rights when the relevant privacy law applies to the firm and the information involved.

California Residents

When the California Consumer Privacy Act applies, California residents may have the right to know, access, correct or delete personal information and to opt out of qualifying sale or sharing. They may also have the right to limit certain uses of sensitive personal information and to receive equal treatment when exercising privacy rights.

The categories of information we may collect, the sources of that information, our business purposes and the categories of recipients are described throughout this policy.

We do not offer financial incentives in exchange for personal information unless we provide a separate notice explaining the material terms.

Request Appeals

If applicable state law gives you a right to appeal a denied request, you may submit an appeal using the same method used for the original request and clearly label it “Privacy Request Appeal.”

16. International Visitors

Grisham & Poole is located in Georgia, United States. If you access the website from another country, your information may be transferred to, stored in and processed in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your country.

Legal Bases Where European Privacy Law Applies

To the extent the European Economic Area, United Kingdom or Swiss privacy laws apply, we may process personal information based on:

• Your consent;
• Steps requested before entering into a contract;
• Performance of a contract;
• Compliance with legal or professional obligations;
• Protection of vital interests; or
• Legitimate interests such as responding to inquiries, operating the website, preventing fraud, securing systems and improving services.

Where applicable, you may have rights to access, correct, erase, restrict or object to processing, receive portable data, withdraw consent and complain to an appropriate supervisory authority.

17. Children’s Privacy

This website provides information about legal services and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children under 13 without legally required parental consent.

A parent or legal guardian who believes a child submitted personal information through the website may contact us. We will review the request and delete the information when required by law, subject to legal, professional and recordkeeping obligations.

Information about a child provided by a parent, guardian, client, prospective client or other adult may be retained when necessary to evaluate or provide legal services.

18. Third-Party Websites and Services

The website may link to or use services provided by courts, government agencies, legal directories, payment providers, review platforms, maps, social networks, video providers and other third parties.

Third parties operate under their own privacy policies and security practices. Grisham & Poole does not control how an independent third party collects, uses or protects information.

Review the privacy policy of a third-party website before providing it with personal information.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, professional responsibilities or website services.

We will publish the revised policy on this page and update the “Last updated” date. Material changes may also be communicated through another reasonable method when required by law.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

20. Contact Us About Privacy

Contact Grisham & Poole with questions, concerns or privacy requests:

Do not use a privacy request to submit an urgent legal inquiry, approaching deadline or confidential case information.