Privacy Policy

D’Urzo Law recognizes the importance of your personal privacy and the sensitivity of your personal information. As lawyers, we have a professional obligation to keep confidential all information we receive within a lawyer-client relationship. We are committed to protecting any personal information we hold. This Privacy Policy outlines how we manage your personal information and safeguard your privacy.

Your Privacy Rights

All businesses engaged in commercial activities must comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and the Canadian Standards Association Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information, which it incorporates. These obligations extend to lawyers and law firms, including D’Urzo Law. PIPEDA establishes your rights concerning the privacy of your personal information.

D’Urzo Law is responsible for personal information we collect and hold. To ensure accountability, we have developed this policy and our lawyers and support staff receive training about our privacy practices and policies.

Why Does D’Urzo Law Require Personal Information?

D’Urzo Law provides legal services to a wide range of clients, primarily in personal injury matters. To fulfill our retainers and professional responsibilities, we require personal information. We may also send materials about our services or developments in the law where appropriate.

What Personal Information Do We Collect and How Do We Collect It?

We collect personal information relevant to the legal matters on which we are retained. “Personal information” means information about an identifiable individual, but does not include the name, title, or business address or telephone number of an employee of an organization.

Depending on your matter, the information we collect may include contact details and, where necessary, financial, employment, or medical information. We collect information only by lawful and fair means and not in an unreasonably intrusive way. Wherever possible, we collect personal information directly from you.

Sometimes we obtain information from other sources, for example:

• Your insurance company;

• Your employer;

• Government agencies or registries;

• The opposing party in litigation;

• Your health-care providers or other professionals (e.g., accountants, rehabilitation specialists).

Consent

In most cases, we ask you to consent if we collect, use, or disclose your personal information. Sometimes consent may be implied by your contact with us and the fact that you have retained us. D’Urzo Law confirms client consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information during the course of our retainer.

Use of Your Information

We use your personal information to:

• Provide legal advice and services;

• Fulfill professional, regulatory, and insurance obligations;

• Administer client files, timekeeping, and billing;

• Manage conflicts and practice risk;

• Communicate about services and legal developments, where permitted.

If you tell us you no longer wish to receive marketing communications, we will stop sending them.

D’Urzo Law does not sell client lists or disclose personal information to third parties so they can market their products or services. Where we engage service providers (e.g., secure document storage, IT/security, accountants/auditors, marketing support for our own site and analytics), they are contractually required to protect personal information and use it only to provide the contracted services.

We retain personal information as long as necessary to carry out the purposes described above, to meet regulatory and insurance requirements, and to comply with applicable laws and the Law Society of Ontario’s record-keeping rules.

Disclosure of Your Personal Information

We may disclose personal information in the following circumstances:

• When required or authorized by law (e.g., court orders, regulatory requests);

• When you consent (expressly or by implication) or where disclosure is reasonably necessary for your matter;

• To third parties retained on your behalf (e.g., medical experts, court reporters, mediators), in which case your consent is implied unless you instruct otherwise;

• In litigation where disclosure obligations apply—failing to disclose may adversely affect your claim;

• To establish or collect fees;

• If we retain other law firms/agents on your behalf;

• To service providers who assist our operations (e.g., secure cloud backup, IT security, archival storage, auditors), who are bound by confidentiality and privacy obligations;

• Where the information is already publicly available.

Updating Your Information

Accurate information helps us serve you effectively. If your information changes during the retainer, please let us know so we can update our records. If we hold information about you that is inaccurate or incomplete, we will take reasonable steps to correct it.

Is Personal Information Secure?

We take reasonable precautions to keep personal information safe from loss, unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. Safeguards include, as appropriate:

• Physical security of premises;

• Access controls and role-based permissions;

• Encryption and secure transmission where appropriate;

• Password policies, firewalls, and malware protection;

• Contractual confidentiality obligations with service providers;

• Secure destruction practices for records no longer required.

Access to Your Personal Information

You may request access to personal information we hold about you. We may ask to be reimbursed for reasonable time and costs associated with providing access at our normal rates.

Can Access Be Refused?

Access rights are not absolute. We may refuse access where, for example:

• Refusal is required or authorized by law;

• The information relates to existing or anticipated legal proceedings;

• Disclosure would reveal confidential commercial information or would prejudice negotiations;

• Disclosure would unreasonably impact another person’s privacy;

• The request is frivolous or vexatious;

• Necessary to protect the firm’s rights and property.

If we refuse access or decline a requested correction, we will explain why.

Identification and Anti-Money Laundering

Applicable law and professional rules may require us to confirm client identity and, in some circumstances, to collect additional information for anti-money-laundering and anti-terrorist-financing compliance. In certain cases, we may be required to report prescribed transactions to the relevant authorities.

Credit Reference

To help make credit decisions, prevent fraud, verify identity, and comply with legal obligations, we may, where lawful and appropriate, request information from consumer reporting agencies.

Fees (General Information)

We offer a complimentary, no-obligation initial consultation for prospective personal injury clients. Where we act on a contingency basis, our Contingency Fee Agreement follows Ontario requirements and is reviewed with you before retainer. We do not charge up-front legal fees on contingency matters. Any fees, disbursements, and taxes are discussed transparently at the outset and payable as outlined in your signed retainer agreement.

(Note: D’Urzo Law does not publish specific percentages here because terms may vary by file and must comply with current Ontario rules. Your written retainer controls.)

Communicating With Us

Email and web forms are not 100% secure. Please consider this when sending sensitive information. We take reasonable precautions, but cannot guarantee the security of information transmitted over the internet.

Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality and analyze usage. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies; some features may not function properly if cookies are disabled. We may collect non-identifying technical information (e.g., IP address, browser type, timestamps) for security and analytics. We may use or disclose such information to protect our website, clients, or others, or where required by law.

Our Website; Links to Other Sites

Our site may contain links to third-party websites. Their privacy practices may differ from ours. D’Urzo Law is not responsible for the privacy policies of third-party sites and cannot guarantee the security of any personal information collected there.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We review our policies regularly and may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The most current version will be posted on this page with the effective date.

Requests, Questions, or Access

If you have questions about this policy or wish to access or correct your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer:

Privacy Officer
D’Urzo Law
[Add Mailing Address Here]
[Add City/Province/Postal Code Here]
Phone: [Add Phone Here]
Email: info@durzolaw.com

Effective Date: [Insert date]