Disclaimer

Background

Professionals who advise individuals on personal financial matters now are required by the Gramm-Leach-Biley Act (Public Law No. 106-102), and the regulations issued by the Federal Trade Commission regarding the Privacy of Consumer Financial Information (16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 313), to inform certain customers as to their policies regarding privacy of customer information.  These new federal laws and regulations apply to the disclosure of nonpublic, personal information about individual customers who obtain financial services, such as tax preparation and planning, real estate settlement, debt collection, and financial advisory and management services, primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

Attorneys-at-Law always have been bound by stringent professional standards of ethical conduct and client confidentiality embodied in state law and court promulgated rules of professional and ethical conduct.  Therefore, as lawyers, we have always honored and protected our clients’ right to privacy.

In circumstances where the legal profession’s standards governing privacy are stricter than the new federal laws, we will continue to adhere to these more stringent professional standards of ethical conduct and client confidentiality, and we will preserve the continuing “attorney-client privilege”.  In any event, we will conform to the more general policy adopted by our Law Firm specifically in response to the new laws, as embodied in this Privacy Policy Notice, as amended from time to time.

The purpose of this Privacy Policy Notice is to explain our general privacy policy with regard to personal information about our clients, and our permitted disclosures, and to ratify the continuing, stricter professional requirements regarding such matters that still govern our conduct as attorneys representing clients.

Personal Information Collected

We collect information about our clients and their situations so that we can appropriately represent or advocate a client’s interests.  Such personal information is collected through documents, in interviews, and by other communications with clients, or with other individuals and institutions, such as accountants, financial advisors, insurance agents, real estate agents, banking institutions, and other advisors.

Personal Information Disclosed

We may disclose a client’s personal information to other individuals or institutions only in compliance with professional rules of conduct applicable to attorneys who represent a client (See, for example, Pennsylvania’s Rules of Professional Conduct, which can be found on a website at:  www.pacode.com/secure/data/204/chapter81/chap81toc.html).  Recognize, however,  that investigations and litigation are governed by laws and court rules that may require disclosure of personal information to authorities or adverse parties dependent upon the matters at issue.  In general, we will not disclose any non-public personal information about a present or former client, unless authorized by the client, or except as required by law, as described in this Privacy Policy Notice, or as otherwise specifically communicated in advance to a client.

Personal Information Protection

We retain records relating to professional services so that we are better able to assist our clients, and, in doing so, we comply with professional guidelines and requirements of law.  In order to secure nonpublic personal information, we maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations and our professional ethical standards.

Policy Amendment and Availability

We may modify or update this Privacy Policy Notice from time to time.  The most current version applies to our then-current activities.  You may always request a copy of this Privacy Policy Notice to be delivered by mail, fax or email at any time.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding this Privacy Policy Notice, please contact one of our attorneys.