GSRM recognizes the importance of privacy and the sensitivity of 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 personal information and safeguard client privacy.
We reserve the right to change or update this privacy policy as necessary to comply with State Bar guidelines and state and federal regulations.
ACQUISITION OF PRIVATE INFORMATION
The firm collects non-public personal information about our clients from the following sources:
- Information the client provides: Our client engagements routinely require us to obtain private information about our clients so that we can proceed with the various services we perform for our clients as part of the professional
- Other Sources: Depending upon the particular service a client has engaged the firm to complete, we may request non-public information concerning the matter at However, this information is never obtained without our client’s specific authorization for the type of information and the source(s) from which it may be obtained.
DISCLOSURE OF NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION
- Our firm will not publicly disclose non-public information about our clients. In addition, we will not disclose generally held public information, such as an email address or name, when used to contact us through our website. Any information attained will not be sold to any third parties at any time without a client’s express permission.
- Non-public personal information is defined as any publicly available information that we acquire by using information a client has provided us in connection with any professional services we perform for that client. Any information that a client provides us that involves financial products or services is likely considered non-public personal information and receives the same protection from disclosure as all other information about our clients. For purposes of our business relationships with our clients, all information acquired is disclosed only under the following conditions:
- Employees of the firm: Employees who need such information to conclude a transaction for which the client has engaged the firm.
- Service Providers: As with any business, we have our own accounting, insurance and other service firms that we may need to provide information that the regulations consider non-public personal information. We have always insisted that any such information that needed to be disclosed for a business purpose be considered confidential and not used for any purpose other than the specific business need. GSRM service providers are required to sign confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements to ensure that private client information is protected.
- Others: Other than as stated above, we do not disclose non-public personal information, or any other information, to any outside party without specific client authorization.
- In addition, the ethics rules that govern the operation principles that our firm must follow prohibit disclosing client information.
SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS
- We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard our clients’ non-public personal information and any other information. GSRM uses an encryption program to protect electronic communications to clients. Encryption is used to protect the confidentiality of the e-mail and authentication is used to identify the sender of an e-mail and verify its integrity.
ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
- No attorney-client relationship is formed simply by visiting the GSRM website. To retain the services of the firm, a client must contact us through the telephone number or email address provided and speak with an attorney. At that time, if both parties choose to enter into an attorney-client relationship, information regarding fees or a retainer will be presented to a client. The relationship can only be created by the agreement of both parties.
- In addition, the GSRM website is maintained for informational and advertising purposes only. Visitors to this website should not rely on any of the information presented there as the sole source of information on any given legal topic. It is highly recommended you retain the services of an attorney for your actual legal needs.
OPT OUT PROVISION
The Federal Trade Commission regulations provide that this notice must include a provision for a client to request that the firm not release non-public personal information. While such a request is unnecessary because the firm does not disclose non-public personal information in a manner that would require a client to opt out, in the interests of satisfying regulations, we include this Opt Out Provision.