Privacy Policy & Client Confidentiality

1. Overview and Scope

The Private Firm, PLLC respects the confidentiality of every prospective client, active client, and visitor to thefirm.net. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, protect, and retain information submitted through our website, intake portals, virtual office sign-up workflows, and electronic communications.

Submitting information through this website does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Do not transmit highly sensitive trade secrets or privileged litigation files until a written engagement letter has been executed following conflict screening.

2. Information We Collect

We collect limited categories of personal and business information necessary to evaluate legal inquiries, perform Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct conflict checks, and administer firm services:

• Inquiry and Conflict Check Details: Name, title, company name, email address, telephone number, matter summary, and opposing or affiliated party names provided voluntarily through our consultation forms.
• Virtual Office and Registered Agent Records: Authorized contact persons, corporate entity filings, forwarding instructions, and billing confirmation details processed through our payment and CRM partners.
• Technical Diagnostics: Browser type, operating system, requested page paths, referring pages, and security logs generated automatically when loading content over HTTPS.

3. How We Use Information

Information collected through thefirm.net is used exclusively for legitimate legal and administrative operations:

• Evaluating prospective client representations and performing conflict-of-interest screening prior to consultation.
• Scheduling partner consultations and communicating regarding requested legal, corporate, or virtual office services.
• Maintaining site reliability, preventing abusive automated traffic, and satisfying applicable Michigan and federal compliance obligations.

4. Confidentiality, Third-Party Processors, and No Sale of Data

The Private Firm, PLLC does not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third-party data brokers or advertisers. We restrict external data processing to enterprise service providers supporting website hosting, encrypted communications, client intake routing, and payment settlement (such as Vercel, Google Workspace, and HubSpot), each subject to strict confidentiality and access controls.

In limited circumstances, we may disclose information when required by court order, subpoena, Michigan State Bar regulatory rules, or as necessary to establish or defend legal rights.

5. Cookies and Analytics

Our website uses strictly necessary session storage and lightweight performance analytics to understand aggregate page readership and improve navigation speed. You may adjust cookie preferences or disable non-essential storage at any time through your browser settings without affecting access to firm practice resources.

6. Data Retention and Security Safeguards

All traffic on thefirm.net is served exclusively over TLS-encrypted HTTPS connections. Client intake records and formal legal files are governed by Michigan ethical retention standards and firm security controls designed to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.

7. Contact Information and Privacy Requests

To request updates, corrections, or deletion of personal contact records collected outside an active legal representation agreement, please contact The Private Firm, PLLC directly:

• Firm: The Private Firm, PLLC
• Address: 125 E. 3rd Street, Suite 100, Rochester, MI 48307
• Telephone: 248.781.4500
• Email: info@thefirm.net