Privacy Policy

HMD is a Quebec based law firm committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled with care. As a law firm, we routinely gather, utilize, and disclose information in the course of providing our services, including consulting, litigation, and transactions. Confidentiality is central to our client relationships, and we adhere to the highest ethical standards when handling personal data.

This Privacy Policy outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, disclosure, and retention of personal information. By sharing your personal information with us through our website, secure portal, client portal, email, in person, or over the phone, you consent to the processing described in this Privacy Policy and authorize HMD, its partners, and service providers to use your information as outlined below.

Please note that this Privacy Policy does not cover third-party websites linked from our site. We are not responsible for their privacy practices, so we recommend reviewing their privacy policies before submitting any personal information.

1. About Us

HMD (referred to as “HMD,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is the “data controller” and “responsible party” for your personal information, meaning we determine the purposes and means of processing your data.

2. Types of Personal Information We Collect

When you visit our website, use our secure or client portals, or communicate with us, we collect various types of personal information, including:

• Basic details like your first and last name.
• Contact information such as your address, email, and phone number.
• Biographical details including job title, employer, and multimedia content like photos and videos.
• Preferences related to marketing and communication, including survey responses.
• Billing and financial information, such as billing address and payment details.
• Information about the services we have provided to you.
• Recruitment details, including your resume, educational and employment history, and professional memberships.
• Website usage and technical data, such as visit details and information collected through cookies. Please refer to our Cookies Policy for more information (coming soon).
• Information provided by or on behalf of our clients, which may include special categories of personal data (e.g., racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, health information).
• Identification and background verification data (e.g., driver’s license, passport, utility bills) for compliance with anti-money laundering laws.
• Any other personal information you provide. If you provide information about others, you must ensure you have their consent for us to process their data.
• Records of consent, where applicable.
• Special Personal Information may be collected in the ordinary course of business and in compliance with applicable laws.

We do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 16 years old. If you are under 16, please do not provide us with personal information without parental consent. If you are a parent and aware that your child has shared personal information with us, please contact us. If we discover that we have collected data from minors without parental consent, we will take steps to remove it.

Confidential information should only be sent to us once we have confirmed in writing that we represent or act for you or your organization. Unsolicited emails from non-clients do not establish a lawyer-client relationship and may not be privileged.

3. How We Collect Your Personal Information

We collect personal information directly from you and through interactions such as:

• During the provision of legal services.
• When you register for seminars, training, or newsletters. We also gather publicly available information, including data from our website.

4. How We Use Your Personal Informations

We use your personal information to provide and enhance our services and to meet legal obligations. Uses include:

• Providing legal services and performing contractual obligations.
• Responding to information requests from website visitors.
• Facilitating website use and ensuring content relevance.
• Marketing and business development, including updates and event invitations.
• Research and development, including improving our services and offerings.
• Recruitment and assessing suitability for positions.
• Fulfilling legal, regulatory, and risk management obligations.
• Combatting fraud and conducting background checks.
• Enforcing legal rights and complying with reporting obligations.
• Recovering payments and managing debt collection.
• Managing business reorganizations or changes.

5. Opting Out of Communications

To stop receiving marketing emails, you can unsubscribe via the link at the bottom of any email or adjust your preferences in your online account. You may also contact us directly. While we aim to process opt-out requests promptly, you may still receive essential communications regarding our products or services.

6. Sharing Personal Information

We may share your personal information with:

• Service providers and partners who assist with technology, human resources, and marketing.
• Law enforcement or governmental entities as required by law.
• Acquirers or successors in the event of business transactions or insolvency.
• Third parties involved in business reorganizations.

7. Retention of Personal Information

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy and to comply with legal and regulatory obligations. For more details on retention periods, please contact us.

8. Storage of Personal Information

Your personal information is primarily hosted and stored in Quebec, Canada.

9. Protection of Personal Information

We employ industry-standard safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access or disclosure. However, no transmission or storage method is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security and cannot be held responsible for breaches. If you believe your information has been compromised, please contact us.

10. Your Rights

You have several rights regarding your personal information, including:

• Access: Request to see the information we hold about you.
• Accuracy: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Automated Decisions: Challenge significant automated decisions.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data under certain conditions.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
• Portability: Request transfer of data to another party.
• Restriction: Request suspension of processing.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Request to stop using or disclosing your data.

You also have the right to file a complaint with a data protection authority. To exercise these rights, please contact us.

11. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our Cookie Policy will be available soon.

12. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy, to exercise your rights, or to obtain information about our practices, please contact our Privacy Officer at info@hmdavocats.ca.

13. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy and our Cookie Policy as needed. We encourage you to review them regularly to stay informed about how we handle personal information.

This Privacy Policy was last updated on August 20, 2024.