Paliare Roland -- Privacy

Privacy Policy

Paliare Roland is committed to providing its clients with excellent legal services. As part of that commitment, we often need to collect personal information so that we can serve our clients. We obtain, use and disclose personal information responsibly and carefully and our privacy policy helps ensure our clients know how we handle their personal information.

What is Personal Information?

Personal information is information about an individual person’s personal characteristics, such as name, age, ethnic origin, marital status, religion, education, contact information including home address, telephone, fax and e-mail, and health information.

Why Do We Obtain Personal Information?

As a law firm, we obtain, use, and disclose personal information in the course of providing legal services. We require personal information so that we can contact our clients, obtain information about their legal concerns, and develop and implement effective strategies to address those concerns. On occasion, we need to obtain personal information from third parties, such as health care providers or insurers, to endure that we have all necessary information. Paliare Roland recognizes that personal information is sensitive and only collects personal information as necessary.

How Do We Collect Personal Information?

For the most part, we obtain personal information either directly from our clients or with their consent. There are some limited instances where we obtain personal information without obtaining consent. For example, a number of Paliare Roland lawyers specialize in professional disciplinary proceedings, and may gather personal information in the course of an investigation into an allegation of professional misconduct. In such circumstances, we may not obtain the consent of the subject of the investigation because it could compromise the investigation.

Who Has Access to Personal Information?

Paliare Roland is a law firm in which a variety of people work may work together on a legal concern, including lawyers, articling students or law students, clerks, and administrative assistants, and have access to personal information. We take steps to ensure that personal information is used and disclosed appropriately, including:

a) ensuring lawyers and staff understand the importance of maintaining the security and confidentiality of personal information;

b) developing and implementing policies for the collection, use, and

c) protecting personal information against loss or theft;

d) safeguarding personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification by restricting access to the office and files, using technological tools such as passwords to limit access to computer data, and ensuring that third parties who may have access to personal information in the course of services they provide to us follow proper privacy principles.

Can I Access My Personal Information From Paliare Roland?

Yes. For the most part, you have a right to access your personal information and to know how it is or has been used. The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, which governs the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, requires that we refuse to provide personal information in some circumstances, and allows us to protect privileged or confidential information if it falls into certain categories. For example, if personal information was collected in the course of investigating a legal concern for one of our clients, we have a legal duty to maintain the confidentiality of the information, unless our client consents to its release.

As well, if personal information is incorrect, you have a right to correct or amend the information, or to have a statement of your disagreement appended to the file.

How Do I Access Personal Information?

Just ask us. If we need further information to ensure that we are fulfilling our obligations, we may ask that you provide us with a written request or further information. We will respond to any request promptly. There may be a modest cost to cover copying or other expenses, and if that is the case, we will advise you of the cost in advance. There may be some circumstances we are unable to provide the information because of our legal obligations, and if that is the case, we will provide an explanation for the refusal.

Who Should I Contact at Paliare Roland?

If you want to access personal information, or have questions about our personal information policy, please contact Karen Jones at tele: (416) 646-4339; fax: (416) 646-4333 or e-mail: karen.jones@paliareroland.com