Privacy Policy – Barbasota & Tan Law Office

Introduction: Our Privacy Commitment

At Barbasota & Tan Law Office, we pride ourselves on our professionalism, ethics, and client service. As your legal service provider of choice, we recognize that the foundation of any strong attorney-client relationship is trust. Safeguarding your personal information and maintaining your privacy are priorities for our firm and an important part of our service commitment to you as our client. Our Privacy Policy outlines the ways we collect, use, store, and protect your information during communications with our firm-whether in the course of a consultation, during representation of a client, or from website visitors. Our policy is built around compliance with all relevant laws and regulations governing these practices, as well as internal policies and procedures. Please read through this policy carefully and give us a call with any questions or concerns.

Who We Are

The Barbasota & Tan Law Office is a full-service law firm based in Bakersfield, California at 4000 Ming Ave Ste 68, representing individuals, families, and businesses throughout the area. Established in 2010, the firm was formed by Jane Barbasota and Mark Tan to provide a client-centered approach with broad experience across a variety of practice areas. Part of our commitment to excellence and justice extends to a strict privacy policy. If you have questions regarding this policy, call us at (661) 939-5459 or email [email protected].

Summary of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy covers all information collected by Barbasota & Tan Law Office online and offline, including information collected when you:

Visit the firm’s website (https://barbasotanlawoffice.com/)
Call, email, or visit the firm
Engage in any of the firm’s social media platforms
Subscribe for newsletter or legal alert updates
Become a client or prospective client

This policy pertains to information regarding the firm’s services, consultations, evaluations, and inquiries. This privacy policy does not extend to third-party websites or services, which may be linked from the firm’s site. Please consult the privacy policy or terms and conditions of these third parties before submitting your information.

What Information We Collect

We collect all sorts of information in an effort to provide high-quality legal services, keep you informed, and comply with our professional obligations. Types of information we collect include:

Identifying Information: Name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, government-issued identification numbers (in limited circumstances pertaining to certain legal services).
Case Information: Information necessary and useful for the legal representation the firm is providing (e.g., accident report, medical records, credit card statements, court filings, business records, family law records).
Payment Information: Billing address and electronic payment information for preparing invoices and processing payments. We currently do not maintain credit card account numbers; this information is collected directly by third-party secure payment processors.
Site Usage Data: IP address, browser type, device type, referring/exit pages, and usage data collected through cookies and web analytics tools to analyze how our site is used and improve the experience.
Communication Records: Records regarding any communications you may have with us (e.g., emails sent or received, phone calls, contact form submissions).
Newsletter and Mailing List Preferences: If you sign up for newsletters or alerts regarding your legal matters or our other content, we will store the contact information for each subscriber as well as the preferences used for communications.

We only collect the information necessary and useful for us to provide legal services in a relevant and lawful manner.

How We Use Your Information

Barbasota & Tan Law Office collects and processes your information to deliver, manage, and enhance our legal services and client experience. In particular, we use your information for the following purposes:

To respond to your legal needs and evaluate how we can assist you
To establish and administer attorney-client relationships
To fulfill our obligations arising from any agreements entered into between you and us
To contact you about your case, appointments, billing, or general questions
To provide you with legal information, newsletters, or other information you have requested
To ensure our services, website, and correspondence are secure, effective, and relevant
To satisfy legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations
For internal record-keeping and auditing purposes and to ensure quality control

Your data will not be used in automated decision-making or profiling. Your personal data will in no circumstance be sold or rented to third parties for marketing reasons.

How We Share Your Information

We recognize the importance of the information you provide us. Barbasota & Tan Law Office does not disclose your personal or case information except as set forth below and only to the extent permitted by applicable law and the rules of professional responsibility.

With Your Permission: To third parties when you have given us permission to do so (e.g., to refer you to another specialist or to coordinate with other professionals).
Service Providers: To contractors, service providers, and other third parties who assist us in providing our services, operating our website, processing payments, or otherwise conducting our business. Such service providers will be contractually required to use all personal information they obtain only for the limited purposes necessary to provide these services to us.
Legal or Regulatory Enforcements: To comply with any applicable law, regulation, court order, subpoena or search warrant, or on the advice of counsel, or to respond to any lawful governmental request or demand.
Protection: To protect the rights, property, safety, or security of our clients, our personnel, our vendors, or others.
Business Transfers: To any successors to our business in a merger, sale of assets, or reorganization, in which your information would be transferred as part of the assets and subject to confidentiality obligations.

We will never sell, lease, or trade all or any portion of your personally identifiable information to third parties for marketing or advertising purposes.

Attorney-Client Privilege and Confidentiality

Because we are attorneys, we are subject to strict confidentiality requirements and the rules of conduct imposed by the bar associations. Communications between you and Barbasota & Tan Law Office are covered by attorney-client privilege to the maximum extent permitted by law, which generally means that other than any exceptions that might apply, the law prevents other people from requiring us to disclose information that you give us while seeking our advice. We take reasonable precautions to safeguard any privileged information whether stored on paper or electronically.

How We Protect Your Information

At Barbasota & Tan Law Office, your information security is a top priority. We utilize administrative, physical, and technical measures to ensure that your information cannot be accessed, disclosed, altered, or destroyed by unauthorized parties. Information security measures we take include:

Locked office facilities and limited access to secure areas
Encrypted email of sensitive information
Document management systems with limited user access and restricted audit trail functions
Staff training in data privacy and security policies and procedures
Firewall, anti-virus, and security software combined with periodic network security audits
Secure shredding and disposal of hard copy documents

Although we utilize measures that are commercially reasonable to protect your information, there is no guarantee that any transmission will be secure. We regularly review our existing measures and update our security and privacy practices as threats evolve.

Your Rights and Choices

We honor your rights with regard to your personal information. Consistent with applicable law, you may have the right to:

Request information related to the personal information we maintain about you
Request the correction or update of inaccurate or incomplete personal information
Request deletion or restriction of your personal information (subject to our legal and professional obligations)
Object to how we use your information
Withdraw your consent with regard to communications or marketing
Request a portable copy of your personal information

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected] or (661) 939-5459. We will respond to you in the time period required by applicable law and will let you know if for any reason certain information cannot be deleted or changed as a result of legal, regulatory, compliance, professional, or other requirements.

Data Retention and Storage

Barbasota & Tan Law Office maintains your personal and case information only for as long as necessary to accomplish the purpose for which it was collected, to meet our legal obligations, to resolve disputes, and to enforce our agreements. The exact retention period depends upon the specific information, the circumstances of the legal matter involved, and applicable law and ethical rules.

Inactive client files stored offsite are either archived securely or are eventually destroyed-as per our internal retention schedule and as required by state bar rules. Electronic documents and electronic records are deleted or anonymized when there is no longer any legitimate business reason for retaining them; hard copy files are disposed of securely (i.e., shredded). Please contact us if you would like more information on our retention periods or wish to request deletion.

Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website employs cookies and similar technologies to track site usage and understand how our services can be made more efficient. Cookies are small files that are downloaded to your device and save preferences and usage information. We employ session cookies (which will expire once you’ve closed your browser) as well as persistent cookies (which stay on your device until deleted). We also employ third party analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics) that provide us with statistical data about usage and do not personally identify you. You are able to change your device’s settings to decline or delete cookies, but this may impact your ability to utilize some features of our website. Our website does not utilize cookies for targeted advertising purposes nor allow third party advertisers to harvest data about your usage of our site.

Children’s Privacy

Barbasota & Tan Law Office (“Barbasota & Tan Law Office”) does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If you are a parent or guardian and you are concerned that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us without delay at [email protected]. We will promptly investigate and remove such information from our possession if we find that such information has been provided that we are unauthorized to collect under applicable laws.

Links to Third Parties and Third-Party Services

You may find links to third-party websites, resources, or services (for example, external legal resources, referral partners, or news sites) on our website. Our Privacy Policy does not extend to those websites or services. We caution you to make sure you review the privacy policies of any third party you provide information to. Barbasota & Tan Law Office is not responsible for the privacy, security, or content practices of third-party websites.

Cross-Border Data Transfers

Barbasota & Tan Law Office offers services primarily to clients within the US and maintains the majority of client data on servers based within the US. Should international data transfer be required for transactions (i.e., legal matters involving jurisdictions outside the United States), we ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place, including contractual provisions, encryption, any applicable binding corporate benefits, and/or compliance with data privacy or other applicable regulations so as to safeguard your data during transfer and processing.

Marketing Communications and Newsletters

If you subscribe to receive any newsletter or legal update from our Firm, we will use your contact information to provide you with periodic communications on legal issues, information about the Firm, and upcoming events. You can “opt out” of any newsletter or legal update by following the instructions included in the emails we send, or by sending your request directly to [email protected], even if you do not subscribe to a specific newsletter or legal update. We will honor your request for no further contact. We do not sell any information submitted by you, nor provide another party with your contact information for opt-in marketing purposes.

Data Breach Response Policies and Procedures

In the rare event you experience a data breach compromising personal information, Barbasota & Tan Law Office will take immediate action to mitigate the breach, assess its scope, and notify those affected in a manner required by law. We will also provide updates about the breach with details on information involved and steps taken to make sure the breach is mitigated. We will cooperate with enforcement authorities and take remedial steps to determine the cause of the incident and prevent its recurrence as part of our incident response plan.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

From time to time, we may modify this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, the law, or technology. Should we make a material change to this Privacy Policy, we will update the effective date at the top of this policy and, if necessary, provide notice through our website or other means. If you visit this policy on a regular basis, you should periodically check this policy to make sure you are still aware of how we protect your privacy.

Contact Us

Should you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or about our data-collection practices with respect to our Site or the information you have provided to us via the Site, please contact Barbasota & Tan Law Office as follows:

Postal address: 4000 Ming Ave Ste 68, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Telephone: (661) 939-5459
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://barbasotanlawoffice.com/

We will treat your inquiries seriously. We make every effort to respond in a timely fashion.

Legal Basis to Process Personal Information

Our processing of your personal information is always based on a legal basis, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and professional rules of conduct. We process information primarily to deliver legal services, meet obligations under contracts, and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. In some cases, we process data information on the basis of your consent (e.g., marketing communications) or our legitimate interests in running and improving our law practice. Where we rely on consent, you have the right to withdraw it at any time.

Sensitive Information – Special Considerations

Some legal situations may involve the collection and processing of confidential information, such as health information, financial information, and/or criminal defense information. Barbasota & Tan Law Office treats confidential information with additional care, utilizes additional safeguards, and limits access to only attorneys and staff who are directly involved in your case. The law office meets all legal and ethical requirements relative to confidential information, including confidentiality requirements specific to HIPAA, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and other laws.

Your Responsibilities

While we want to help safeguard your information, privacy best practices are a two-way street. We ask that you and the firm:

Use safe methods to send any confidential information to us (i.e., encrypted email or secure portals, when available)
Maintain current contact information (e.g., phone numbers and email addresses)
Inform us as soon as possible if you believe your information has been compromised, or if you receive any questionable communications claiming it is from us
Use strong passcodes, passwords, and other security measures to protect your own devices and accounts

Together, we can help promote the privacy and security of your legal matters.

Privacy Practices for Certain Types of Legal Services

Some of our practice areas-Personal Injury, Family Law, Business Law, and Criminal Defense-can have their own unique privacy implications:

Personal Injury Law: We may acquire medical documents, insurance policies, and accident reports. All medical data collected is managed in accordance with medical privacy regulations.
Family Law: Important family details, disclosures of property, and court papers are securely managed with additional precautions where children are involved.
Business Law: Private business information, commercial contracts, and account data with financial records are protected with secure safeguards.
Criminal Defense: Matters relating to charges, evidence, and legal defense strategies are always covered by attorney/client privilege and respect.

Our commitment to protecting your privacy does not change with the service.

Accessibility and Language Preference

Barbasota & Tan Law Office has made every effort to keep our privacy practices simple and understandable for our clients. If you need this Privacy Policy in an alternative language or in a format designed to accommodate a disability or language preference, please contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at (661) 939-5459. We will make every effort to be sure that you are accommodated and have full knowledge of our privacy practices.

California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you might have additional privacy rights with respect to your personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other California privacy laws. These would include:

The right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell (we do not sell personal information)
The right to request that we delete your personal information
The right to request that we not sell your personal information
The right not to be discriminated against for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise any of these California privacy rights, please contact us using the information listed in this policy. We will verify your identity before responding to such a request as required by law.

How We Respond to Do Not Track Signals

Some web browsers have a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that sends a signal to the sites you visit, expressing your desire not to be tracked. Our site does not currently respond to DNT signals, because there is no consistent industry standard for interpreting them. However, our website does not track your browsing over time and across third-party websites. Please consult your browser’s help documentation for more information or to change your DNT settings.

Updating Your Information

Your information should always be cared for in a manner that keeps it accurate and current. If any of your contact information, case details, or preferences should change, let us know as soon as possible by calling (661) 939-5459, or emailing [email protected]. Our office will promptly update records and confirm significant changes with our clients to ensure accuracy.

Effective Date and Version History

This Privacy Policy is in effect as of June 1, 2024. Copies of earlier versions of our Privacy Policy are available upon request. This privacy policy will be updated to reflect changes in our privacy practices. Updated versions of the Privacy Policy will be posted on this website https://barbasotanlawoffice.com/. We recommend the visitor to this website review this policy from time to time to learn about how we protect information.

Conclusion: Your Privacy Is Important

At Barbasota & Tan Law Office, your personal privacy is not only part of our legal responsibility to our clients, but is also a fundamental value of our organization as a whole. We appreciate the faith you put in us and we strive to protect the privacy, rights, and security of your information at all stages of your legal experience with us. If you have specific questions or concerns about our privacy terms, please feel free to contact our office directly. Barbasota & Tan Law Office appreciates the opportunity to act as your staunch legal advocate.