Privacy Notice

The Law Office of J.M. Chema Garza ("the firm", "we") respects your privacy. This notice explains what information we collect when you visit this website or contact us, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices available to you. This website is informational and is not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

Scope and acceptance

This notice applies to the firm's public website and to the communications you send us through the channels described here. It does not apply to client files for matters where the firm has already been engaged, which are governed by your engagement agreement and the State Bar of Texas professional rules. By using this site you accept the practices described in this notice.

Information you provide directly

When you submit the contact form, send an email, leave a voicemail, or message us on WhatsApp, we may receive your name, phone number, email address, and a brief description of the legal matter. Please do not send sensitive documents, medical records, sworn statements, government identification, or detailed financial information through the website form; that channel is not designed to safeguard confidential material before a representation relationship is in place.

Information collected automatically

As with most websites, our hosting provider automatically records limited technical data, including your IP address, your browser type and version, your operating system, and the timestamps of your visit. We use this data solely to operate the site, diagnose problems, and detect abuse.

Cookies and similar technologies

This site does not currently set analytics or marketing cookies. If that changes, this notice will be updated and a consent banner will be added. The site may use minimal functional cookies to remember your language preference (English or Spanish); you can disable those in your browser settings.

Third-party services

The site includes links to Google Maps to show the office location and a WhatsApp link to start conversations with the firm. These services are operated by their respective providers, and when you use them you leave the firm's site and become subject to the privacy practices of those third parties. We do not embed advertising trackers or ad networks on the site's pages.

How we use the information

We use the information to respond to your inquiry, evaluate conflicts of interest before accepting a case, schedule appointments, maintain ordinary administrative records of the firm, and comply with our ethical and professional obligations. We do not sell your personal information or share it with third parties for marketing or advertising purposes.

How we share information

We may share information with vendors that provide services to the firm (for example, website hosting or email), under contract and with an obligation to protect the information. We may also disclose information when required by law (subpoenas, court orders), when necessary to protect the rights of the firm, its clients, or the public, or when you expressly consent.

Confidentiality and attorney-client privilege

Submitting a form, calling, or sending email does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not impose duties of professional confidentiality on the information you transmit. Please do not send sensitive information or confidential documents until the firm has formally agreed to represent you and a written engagement agreement is in place.

Security

The site is served over HTTPS and we apply reasonable access controls to protect the information we receive, including restrictions on the firm's internal accounts. However, no method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of information transmitted over the internet.

Retention

We retain inquiry messages received through the site for a reasonable period, generally less than two years, unless we have valid reasons to keep them longer (for example, conflict-check records). When a representation relationship is established, client files are retained in accordance with the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the firm's internal file-preservation policies.

Children's privacy

This site is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect information from children. If a parent or guardian discovers that a minor has submitted information to us, they can request its deletion by writing to the firm's email address.

Out-of-state and international visitors

The firm operates from Texas and information we receive is processed in the United States. If you contact us from another state or from outside the country, you understand that your information will be transferred to and handled in the United States and that the laws of the State of Texas govern this notice.

Your choices and rights

You may ask us to confirm what information about you we have on file, correct it where it is inaccurate, or delete it once it is no longer needed. The firm honors reasonable requests and may ask for additional information to verify your identity before acting. Email jmchemagarzalaw@gmail.com to exercise these choices.

Your Texas privacy rights

If you are a Texas resident, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA), effective July 1, 2024, gives you specific rights over your personal data: to confirm whether we are processing it, to access it, to correct inaccuracies, to delete it, to obtain a portable copy, and to opt out of its sale or of profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects. The firm does not sell personal information and does not use it for targeted advertising. To submit a request, email jmchemagarzalaw@gmail.com with "TDPSA request" in the subject line. We will respond within the timeframe required by law and may ask for additional information to verify your identity. If we deny your request, you may ask for an internal appeal; you also retain the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Texas Attorney General. This section is informational and is not legal advice. We do not use third-party analytics today; if that changes you can opt out by following the instructions in the cookies section above.

Do Not Track signals

Browser "Do Not Track" signals are implemented inconsistently across the industry, and for that reason this site does not respond differently to those signals. Regardless of that, the site does not use third-party advertising trackers.

Changes to this notice

We may update this notice to reflect changes in our practices or in applicable law. The date of the latest update appears at the top of this page, and we encourage you to review this notice from time to time.

How to contact us

If you have questions about this privacy notice, email jmchemagarzalaw@gmail.com, call (956) 317-1167, or reach us on WhatsApp at (956) 500-1371. You can also send correspondence to Law Office of J.M. Chema Garza, 206 N Britton Ave Ste B, Rio Grande City, TX 78582-3870.