Privacy Policy

How we handle your information - because trust matters

Last Updated: November 13, 2025 | Version 2.3

Look, we get it - privacy policies are usually boring as hell. But since we're lawyers who deal with corporate compliance daily, we figured we'd make ours actually readable and, dare we say, honest.

Here's the deal: Dreadvale Empire Legal takes your privacy seriously. We're not just saying that because PIPEDA makes us - we genuinely care about keeping your information secure. After all, you're trusting us with your business matters, and that trust starts with transparency about how we handle your data.

Quick Summary: We collect what we need to serve you effectively, we don't sell your info (ever), and we protect it like it's our own. If you want the nitty-gritty details, keep reading.

What Information We Actually Collect

Information You Give Us Directly

When you reach out or work with us, we'll typically collect:

  • Contact basics: Your name, company name, email, phone number, and business address - pretty standard stuff
  • Business details: Information about your company structure, industry, and the legal matters you need help with
  • Financial info: When necessary for transactions, billing details and payment information (processed through secure third-party systems)
  • Legal documents: Contracts, agreements, corporate records, and other materials you share for our review
  • Communication records: Emails, phone call notes, meeting records - basically our working relationship history

Stuff We Collect Automatically

Our website grabs some technical info when you visit:

  • IP address and browser type (helps us troubleshoot issues)
  • Pages you visit and how long you stick around
  • Device info and operating system
  • Referral sources (how you found us)

Nothing creepy here - just standard analytics to improve our site and services.

How We Use Your Information

We're not gonna beat around the bush - here's exactly what we do with your data:

Providing Legal Services

Administrative Purposes

Billing, invoicing, payment processing - the not-so-fun but necessary stuff. We also maintain client records for conflict checks and professional responsibility requirements.

And yeah, we keep track of our interactions to provide better service and maintain accurate files. It's part of being a properly-run law firm.

Improving Our Services

We analyze how clients interact with our services to figure out what's working and what needs improvement. This helps us refine our processes, develop new service offerings, and generally become better at what we do.

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

When We Share Your Information (Spoiler: Rarely)

Here's our stance: your information is yours, and we're not in the business of passing it around. That said, there are a few specific situations where sharing happens:

With Your Consent

Pretty straightforward - if you tell us to share something with a specific party (like opposing counsel, business partners, or accountants), we'll do exactly that.

Service Providers

We use trusted third parties for things like document management, cloud storage, payment processing, and IT support. These folks are contractually bound to keep your data confidential and only use it for the specific services they're providing us.

Legal Obligations

If we're served with a valid subpoena, court order, or other legal demand, we might have to disclose information. We'll notify you when legally permitted to do so. Same goes for regulatory compliance requirements from the Law Society or other governing bodies.

Business Transfers

In the unlikely event we sell the firm, merge with another practice, or otherwise restructure, client information would be part of that transfer. Any new owner would be bound by this privacy policy (or provide you with notice of changes).

What we DON'T do: We don't sell your information to marketers, data brokers, or anyone else. We don't rent it out. We don't trade it. We don't use it for unrelated business ventures. Period.

How We Keep Your Information Secure

Look, cyber security isn't just a checkbox for us - it's essential. We deal with sensitive corporate information daily, so we've invested in proper protection:

  • Encryption: Data transmission uses TLS encryption (that little padlock in your browser). Stored data is encrypted both at rest and in transit.
  • Access controls: Only team members who need access to specific client files actually get it. We use role-based permissions and multi-factor authentication.
  • Secure systems: Regular security audits, updated software, firewalls, intrusion detection - the whole nine yards.
  • Physical security: Our offices have controlled access, secure document storage, and proper disposal procedures for sensitive materials.
  • Employee training: Everyone on our team gets regular training on data protection, confidentiality obligations, and security best practices.
  • Vendor vetting: Third-party service providers go through security assessments before we'll work with them.

That said, let's be real - no system is 100% bulletproof. We do everything reasonably possible to protect your data, but we can't guarantee absolute security. If we ever experience a breach that affects your information, we'll notify you promptly and take immediate steps to address it.

How Long We Keep Your Information

We don't keep stuff forever just because we can. Our retention practices are guided by:

  • Legal requirements: The Law Society of Ontario requires us to maintain client files for at least 10 years after the matter concludes. Some records need to be kept longer depending on the type of work.
  • Business needs: We keep information as long as necessary to provide ongoing services, handle potential disputes, and maintain accurate business records.
  • Your preferences: If you want us to delete or return your information (and we're legally allowed to), just ask.

When it's time to dispose of data, we do it securely - shredding physical documents and permanently deleting digital files. No half-measures here.

Your Rights Regarding Your Information

Under Canadian privacy law (specifically PIPEDA and provincial regulations), you've got some important rights:

Access

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. We'll provide it within 30 days, subject to any legal restrictions (like solicitor-client privilege).

Correction

If something we have on file is wrong, let us know and we'll fix it. We want accurate records as much as you do.

Withdrawal of Consent

For non-essential processing (like marketing communications), you can withdraw consent anytime. Just know that withdrawing consent for essential services might affect our ability to represent you.

Deletion

You can request deletion of your information, subject to our legal and professional obligations to retain certain records. We'll delete what we can and explain what we can't.

Complaints

If you're not happy with how we've handled your information, tell us first - we'll work to resolve it. If you're still not satisfied, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To exercise any of these rights, shoot us an email at counsel@dreadvaleempire.info or call us at (416) 555-0147.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Yeah, we use cookies. Not the delicious kind, unfortunately - the digital kind that help our website function properly.

What We Use:

  • Essential cookies: Required for basic site functionality - navigation, secure areas, that sort of thing. These aren't optional.
  • Analytics cookies: Help us understand how people use our site so we can improve it. We use Google Analytics with IP anonymization enabled.
  • Functional cookies: Remember your preferences and settings for a better experience.

We don't use advertising cookies or tracking pixels for targeted marketing. Most browsers let you control cookie settings - just know that blocking essential cookies might break some site features.

Third-Party Services & Links

Our website might link to third-party sites or services. Once you click away from our site, their privacy policies apply - not ours. We try to only link to reputable sources, but we're not responsible for their privacy practices.

We also use some third-party tools for our practice:

  • Cloud storage providers for secure document management
  • Email and communication platforms
  • Payment processors for billing
  • Practice management software

All of these are carefully selected, contractually bound to maintain confidentiality, and compliant with Canadian privacy standards.

Communications from Us

We'll send you different types of communications:

Service-Related

Updates about your legal matters, invoices, appointment reminders, and other essential stuff related to our representation. These are necessary for providing legal services and can't be opted out of (sorry).

Marketing

Occasionally we might send newsletters, legal updates, or information about new services. These are completely optional - you can unsubscribe anytime using the link at the bottom of any marketing email.

Surveys

We might ask for feedback on our services. Participation is voluntary and appreciated.

Changes to This Policy

Privacy laws evolve, our practices improve, and sometimes we need to update this policy. When we make material changes, we'll:

  • Post the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date
  • Notify active clients by email if the changes significantly affect how we handle their information
  • Update the version number so you can track changes over time

We'd encourage you to review this policy periodically. Boring, we know, but it's good to stay informed about how your information is handled.

Questions? Let's Talk

If you've got questions, concerns, or just want to chat about privacy stuff, we're here:

Dreadvale Empire Legal

2500 Bay Street, Suite 1800
Toronto, ON M5J 2N8

(416) 555-0147

counsel@dreadvaleempire.info

Privacy inquiries are typically handled within 2 business days. For urgent matters related to your active legal files, please call directly.

We're also available for in-person meetings if you'd prefer to discuss privacy concerns face-to-face. Just give us a call to schedule.


This privacy policy was last reviewed and updated on November 13, 2025 (Version 2.3). It applies to all personal information collected by Dreadvale Empire Legal through our website, client interactions, and legal service delivery.