Personal Information

Under Canadian privacy legislation, “personal information” is broadly defined as any information about an identifiable individual. Generally, this does not include business contact details such as your name, title or position, business address, telephone number, or fax number.

I am responsible, under applicable privacy laws, for all personal information in my possession or control. This includes information received directly from individuals (such as clients) and indirectly through third parties. To safeguard this information, I have implemented policies and procedures designed to protect personal data.

What Personal Information Do I Collect?

The types of personal information I may collect include:

• Name and home contact details
• Billing and account information
• Information relevant to a client’s legal matters
• Other details incidental to providing legal advice and services

Examples include personal information about directors, officers, employees, witnesses, beneficiaries, family members, adverse parties, shareholders, investors, business partners, competitors, customers, pension plan members, and other individuals connected to legal or business matters.

Purposes for Collecting, Using, or Disclosing Personal Information

We collect, use, and disclose personal information primarily to provide professional legal services and representation. Specific purposes include:

• Client Relationship Management: Establishing and managing client relationships, providing legal advice, performing legal services, fulfilling legal duties, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
• Legal Proceedings: Sharing information with third parties involved in litigation, arbitration, mediation, or other proceedings (e.g., opposing parties, counsel, courts, adjudicators, witnesses, and experts).
• Business Transactions: Representing clients in transactions involving personal information (e.g., mergers, acquisitions, financing, public offerings).
• Commercial Operations: Maintaining relationships with clients, suppliers, and third parties; issuing invoices; administering accounts; processing payments; and fulfilling contractual obligations.
• Communication & Research: Contacting individuals for market research, client service evaluation, and distributing publications or event invitations.
• Knowledge Management: Maintaining and developing document and precedent systems.
• Human Resources: Considering individuals for employment or membership in the firm.
• Business Development: Managing and improving our operations.
• Risk Management: Detecting and preventing fraud, negligence, breach of contract, theft, and other illegal activities; meeting insurance requirements.
• Compliance: Complying with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Privacy Statement

At Dean Debt Solutions, we are committed to protecting the personal information we collect, use, and disclose in the course of providing legal services and operating our firm. This commitment is in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements, including privacy legislation, and consistent with our professional obligations.

We have ethical and professional duties to maintain the confidentiality of information received within client relationships. This Privacy Policy supplements those obligations and explains, in general terms, how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard the personal information of our clients, other individuals, and visitors to our website (“you”).

Website Privacy

Cookies
Cookies are small data files sent to your browser and stored on your computer’s hard drive when you visit certain websites. Dean Debt Solutions may use cookies to collect non-personal information about your use of our site. We do not match or correlate this data with any personal information you submit.

• Cookies are used for language preferences and website usage analysis only.
• You may configure your browser to reject cookies; all site features will remain available.

Online Communications
Visitors may voluntarily submit personal information for purposes such as:

• Subscribing to or downloading publications
• Registering for seminars or events
• Participating in surveys
• Requesting information or asking questions

We use this information solely for the purpose for which it was provided. If you have previously subscribed or attended an event, we may combine that information with new submissions to better serve you.

Email Communications
We may send emails to subscribers or contacts regarding legal developments, publications, or events. Each email includes an opt-out option with instructions to unsubscribe from future communications.

Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party sites. Please note that these sites may collect personal information and use cookies independently. Dean Debt Solutions is not responsible for their practices; we recommend reviewing their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose personal information in the following circumstances:

• When provided by a client for legal representation or advice
• When required by court order, subpoena, or applicable rules of production
• When required by regulatory authorities with jurisdiction
• When the information is publicly available under privacy legislation
• When investigating a breach of law or agreement, where consent would compromise the investigation
• When required by lawful authority
• As otherwise authorized by law

As a practicing lawyer, we do not disclose information protected by solicitor-client privilege unless lawfully waived or required by law. Consent is obtained electronically or orally for subscriptions and communications, and opt-out options are provided at all times.

Collection, Use, and Retention

• We collect personal information by fair and lawful means, primarily from the individual wherever possible.
• We limit collection, use, and disclosure to what is necessary for providing legal services and operating our business.
• Records of services provided are maintained in compliance with regulatory and professional standards and stored securely to prevent unauthorized access.
• Contact information for publications and events is retained only while the individual subscribes or does not opt out.

Accuracy and Safeguards

To ensure accuracy and maintain appropriate contact preferences, we may request updates to your personal information periodically. Clients are encouraged to contact us to update their information.
We protect personal information using:

• Secure facilities
• Password-protected systems
• Standard security practices and tools
• Defined internal policies and procedures

Compliance and Inquiries

We respond to all questions or complaints regarding compliance with this policy and applicable privacy laws. To challenge compliance or raise concerns, please contact our office.
Dean Debt Solutions reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time by posting a revised version on our website.