Privacy Policy
Shields O’Donnell MacKillop LLP (“SOM”) understands the importance and sensitivity of personal information. Protecting your privacy and maintaining high standards of confidentially is an important part of our practice. In accordance with the Personal Information Privacy and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), our privacy policy outlines how we collect, use and disclose personal information.
1) Personal Information
“Personal Information” is information about an identifiable individual or information that allows an individual to be identified. Personal information does not include business contact information such as a business name, address, telephone number and e-mail address.
2) Consent
By providing personal information to SOM, either orally or in writing, you consent that such information may be used in accordance with our privacy policy and as permitted or required by law. If you do not agree with the terms of our privacy policy, we request that you do not provide us with your personal information.
You may withdraw your consent to the collection, use and/or disclosure of your personal information at any time, subject to legal and/or contractual restrictions. To withdraw your consent, we request that you contact our office.
Unfortunately, due to the of the nature of our work, certain services can only be provided if we have full access to your personal information. Thus, if you choose not to provide us with such information, we may not be able to provide you with legal services.
3) Purpose
The purpose of collecting personal information is to provide professional legal services to our clients. Personal information is typically used to establish client relationships, provide advice, preserve and maintain our client database, avoid conflicts of interest and issue invoices.
The use of personal information will be limited to the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. If information is to be used for an alternative purpose, we will obtain your consent before using information for such purpose.
4) How does SOM Collect Personal Information?
Personal information may be collected from you both prior to and upon entering into a retainer agreement. This information will be updated and verified for accuracy throughout the working relationship. There may be situations where your personal information will be obtained directly from other sources, such as government agencies or other professional service providers engaged by you.
5) Disclosure
SOM does not sell, rent or lease personal information to third parties. Your personal information will not be provided to any third party to allow such party to market their products or services.
In certain circumstances however, SOM may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law, if we have your consent, when necessary to retain other services or advice or your behalf, if necessary to collect fees, or if the information is already publicly available. If you have any questions about the scope of use, please contact one of our lawyers to discuss your concerns.
6) Security and Retention of Personal Information
SOM will retain your personal information for as long as required, for the reasons forwhich it was collected. In order to keep your personal information safe and secure, our firm has adopted appropriate physical and technological measures. Every member and employee of SOM adheres to our strict practices in order to safeguard your personal information. When your personal information is no longer required, such information will be either destroyed, deleted or erased in accordance with our established procedures.
7) Request to Access your Personal Information
Every individual has the right to request access to their personal information. In some circumstances, the right to access information will be denied due to legal and/or ethical requirements. If we are unable to provide you with access to your personal information, we will explain the reason why.
If you have any specific inquiries about this policy please contract Hendrik Nieuwland at hnieuwland@somlaw.ca or (416) 304-6427.