Privacy Policy

Introduction

Ridgeway is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or engage our legal services.

This policy applies to all personal information we collect through our website, in person, by telephone, email, or any other means. By using our services or providing us with your information, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Contact information including name, address, email address, and telephone numbers
• Employment and professional information relevant to your legal matter
• Financial information necessary for billing and payment processing
• Government-issued identification as required for client verification
• Information about your legal matters, concerns, and objectives
• Communications with our firm including emails, letters, and meeting notes

Technical Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information:

• IP address and browser type
• Pages visited and time spent on our website
• Referring website addresses
• Device information and operating system

Collection Methods

We collect information through:

• Contact forms and email correspondence
• Telephone conversations and in-person meetings
• Document submissions for legal matters
• Website cookies and analytics tools
• Public records and third-party sources when necessary for legal representation

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information based on:

• Consent: You have provided explicit consent for us to process your information for specific purposes
• Contract Fulfillment: Processing is necessary to provide the legal services you have engaged us to perform
• Legal Obligation: We must process information to comply with legal and professional obligations under Manitoba and Canadian law
• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as improving our services and maintaining client relationships

How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

• Providing legal services and representation
• Communicating with you about your legal matters
• Preparing legal documents and conducting legal research
• Managing billing and payment processing
• Complying with legal and professional obligations
• Maintaining client files and records
• Improving our services and website functionality
• Responding to inquiries and providing information about our services

Data Retention

We retain personal information in accordance with legal and professional requirements:

• Active Client Files: Retained for the duration of our professional relationship
• Closed Matter Files: Retained for a minimum of 10 years after conclusion of the matter, as required by Law Society of Manitoba rules
• Financial Records: Retained for 7 years as required by Canadian tax legislation
• General Correspondence: Retained for a reasonable period based on the nature of the communication

After the retention period expires, we securely destroy or delete personal information unless longer retention is required by law or necessary for legal proceedings.

Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information:

• Secure storage systems with access controls and encryption
• Password-protected computer systems and networks
• Physical security measures for paper files
• Secure communication channels for sensitive information
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Staff training on confidentiality obligations

In the event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by applicable law.

Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Access: You may request copies of your personal information in our possession
• Right to Correction: You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Right to Deletion: You may request deletion of your information, subject to our legal and professional retention obligations
• Right to Restrict Processing: You may request that we limit how we use your information
• Right to Data Portability: You may request transfer of your information to another service provider where technically feasible
• Right to Object: You may object to certain types of processing
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw consent for processing at any time, subject to legal and contractual obligations

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

Third-Party Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business:

• Technology Providers: Hosting services, email providers, and practice management software
• Payment Processors: Services that process credit card and electronic payments
• Professional Service Providers: Accountants, auditors, and legal consultants bound by confidentiality obligations
• Court and Government Agencies: As required for legal proceedings or regulatory compliance

All third-party providers are contractually required to maintain confidentiality and use information only for specified purposes.

International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers may be located outside Canada. When we transfer information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Contractual obligations requiring adequate data protection
• Compliance with cross-border data transfer regulations
• Use of service providers in jurisdictions with adequate privacy protections

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. For detailed information about our cookie practices, please review our Cookie Policy.

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post the updated policy on our website with a revised "Last Updated" date.

For significant changes, we will notify active clients directly. Continued use of our services after policy changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:

Regulatory Compliance

Our privacy practices comply with:

• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
• The Privacy Act (Canada)
• Law Society of Manitoba Rules of Professional Conduct
• Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)