Privacy Statement 

Effective Date: January 1, 2024

A. Introduction

At A Parrish Law, LLC, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the information entrusted to us by our clients and prospective clients. As a firm specializing in real estate and property law, corporate law, probate and estate administration and estate planning, we understand the paramount importance of safeguarding sensitive information. This Privacy Statement outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, and safeguarding of personal and confidential information in accordance with applicable Maryland laws and regulations, including the Maryland Personal Information Protection Act and the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct.

B. Definitions

1. "Personal Information" means any information that can be used to identify an individual, either alone or in combination with other information, including but not limited to name, address, telephone number, email address, social security number, driver's license number, financial account information, and any other data defined as personal information under Maryland law.

2. "Confidential Information" means any non-public information provided to us by our clients or prospective clients, including but not limited to trade secrets, proprietary data, business strategies, financial records, and privileged attorney-client communications.

C. Collection and Use of Information

1. We collect Personal Information and Confidential Information directly from our clients and prospective clients, as well as through our interactions and communications with them. This may include information provided during initial consultations, ongoing representation, and through our secure client portal.

2. We use this information solely for the purpose of providing legal services and to fulfill our professional obligations to our clients. This may include, but is not limited to, conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, representing clients in negotiations and litigation, providing legal advice, and communicating with clients and third parties on their behalf.

3. We do not sell, rent, or share Personal Information or Confidential Information with any third parties, except as necessary to provide the legal services requested by our clients or as required by Maryland law. When we engage third-party service providers to assist in delivering our services, we ensure that they adhere to the same stringent privacy and security standards that we maintain.

D. Protection of Information

1. We maintain robust physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect Personal Information and Confidential Information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, in compliance with Maryland's data security and privacy requirements for law firms. These measures include, but are not limited to:

   a. State-of-the-art encryption for data at rest and in transit
  b. Multi-factor authentication for access to our systems
  c. Regular security audits and penetration testing
  d. Secure, access-controlled physical storage for paper documents

1. Access to Personal Information and Confidential Information is strictly limited to those attorneys and staff members who require such access to perform their duties in providing legal services to our clients. We maintain detailed access logs and conduct regular reviews to ensure compliance with our internal policies.

2. We provide comprehensive and ongoing training to our employees on the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and security of client information, as required by the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct. This training includes modules on data privacy laws, cybersecurity best practices, and ethical obligations specific to the legal profession.

3. In the event of a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure of, or access to Personal Information or Confidential Information, we will:

   a. Promptly investigate the incident and take necessary remedial actions
  b. Notify affected clients without unreasonable delay, but no later than 45 days after the discovery of the breach, as required by the Maryland Personal Information Protection Act
  c. Provide affected clients with detailed information about the breach, including the types of information compromised and steps they can take to protect themselves
  d. Offer appropriate identity theft protection services at no cost to affected clients for a period of at least one year
  e. Cooperate fully with law enforcement and regulatory authorities as required

E. Retention and Disposal of Information

1. We retain Personal Information and Confidential Information for the duration of the attorney-client relationship and for any additional period required by Maryland laws and regulations governing the retention of client records, including the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct.

2. When the retention period has expired or the attorney-client relationship has terminated, we securely dispose of Personal Information and Confidential Information in accordance with our document retention and destruction policies, which comply with Maryland's requirements for the protection of client information. Our disposal methods include:

   a. Secure shredding of physical documents by a certified document destruction service
  b. Secure wiping of electronic storage devices using DOD 5220.22-M compliant software
  c. Physical destruction of electronic storage devices that cannot be securely wiped

F. Individual Rights and Choices

1. Clients have the right to access, correct, or delete their Personal Information, subject to any legal or ethical obligations we may have to maintain certain records, as required by the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct. We will respond to such requests within 30 days of receipt.

2. Clients may request that we limit the use or disclosure of their Personal Information or Confidential Information by contacting us using the information provided in Section I. We will honor such requests to the extent permitted by Maryland law and our professional obligations.

3. Upon request, we will provide clients with a detailed accounting of the Personal Information and Confidential Information we hold about them, including the sources of the information, the purposes for which it is used, and any third parties with whom it has been shared.

G. Changes to this Privacy Statement
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Statement from time to time to ensure compliance with changes in Maryland laws and regulations. Any changes will be effective immediately upon the posting of the revised Privacy Statement on our website. We will notify clients of any material changes via email or through a prominent notice on our website. We encourage you to review this Privacy Statement periodically for the most current information on our privacy practices.

H. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

1. To the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, A Parrish Law, LLC's liability for any breach of this Privacy Statement or any data security incident shall be limited to direct damages and shall not exceed the total amount of fees paid by the client to A Parrish Law, LLC in the twelve (12) months preceding the incident giving rise to the claim.

2. Clients agree to indemnify and hold harmless A Parrish Law, LLC, its partners, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or in any way connected with the client's provision of inaccurate or incomplete information or the client's failure to update their information as requested by A Parrish Law, LLC.

3. Nothing in this Privacy Statement shall be construed to limit or exclude any liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable Maryland law.

I. Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Statement, our privacy practices, or to exercise your rights regarding your Personal Information, please contact our dedicated Privacy Officer:

Privacy Officer
A Parrish Law, LLC
16701 Melford Blvd., Suite 400

Bowie, MD 20715
Phone: (301) 798-7998
Email: info@aparrishlaw.com

We are committed to addressing your concerns promptly and thoroughly, and we will respond to all inquiries within 5 business days.

By engaging our services or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Statement and agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described herein.

Last updated: January 1, 2025