Priest and Ellis, PLLC

Priest and Ellis Law

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy Introduction

Privacy is important to us at Priest and Ellis, PLLC. As a locally owned law firm, providing services to Vancouver, Washington and the surrounding community in Clark County, we know that you have entrusted us to handle your litigation needs in family law, elder law, or criminal defense. This Privacy Policy explains how our law firm collects, uses, protects and discloses your information – and your rights regarding your information. Whether you are an existing client of our law firm, a prospective client contemplating meeting with our attorneys for representation, or simply a visitor to our website, know that we value the privacy of your information every step of the way.

About Us

Priest and Ellis, PLLC is a Vancouver, WA based family law, elder law, and criminal defense practice. Attorneys Erin Priest and Stefanie Ellis are strongly committed to ethical practice and client service. Based out of their 211 E Mcloughlin Blvd #120, Vancouver, WA 98663 offices, Priest and Ellis, PLLC attorneys provide client service throughout Clark County, Washington and surrounding communities. Our ethical standards on privacy are rooted in our duties as lawyers and our sincere belief in the treatment of every client with respect, dignity, and confidentiality.

This Privacy Policy Applies To

This Privacy Policy applies to all data recorded by Priest and Ellis, PLLC through the website, in consultation with clients, via email, by telephone, and in any other manner that you have direct contact with the firm. Both on- and off-page data collection is covered. It applies to data given by clients, prospective clients, and website traffic. Please note that communications, such as protected attorney-client communications, are subject to different confidentiality standards under Washington State law and the Rules of Professional Conduct.

What We Collect

We collect personal and non-personal information to deliver legal services, respond to requests, and enhance our website and client experience. The types of information we may collect include the following:

  • Contact Information: name, address, telephone, e-mail address
  • Demographic Information: age, sex, marital status, household members (as they relate to your matter)
  • Case Information: information about your case or legal issue (divorce, custody, criminal law, etc.)
  • Financial Information: credit card or other billing details for flat rate or retainer fees
  • Communications History: notes, emails, voicemails, documents from and to firm
  • Website usage data: IP address, browser version, device type, analytics data via cookies and similar technologies
  • Consultation / Intake forms: information you submit via an online form or at an initial consultation

How We Collect Your Information

Priest and Ellis, PLLC collects information in several ways, including:

  • Directly from You: When you call our office, send us an email, use our website, or otherwise meet in person to schedule a consultation, retain our services, or provide case-related documents.
  • From Our Website: When you complete online forms, sign up for newsletters, or enable interactive features on the website.
  • From Third Parties: With your permission, we may request other parties to a matter (courts, opposing counsel, family members) to provide information relating to your case.
  • Automatically: We may use technology (such as cookies or web analytics) to enable us to collect website usage information to improve the performance of the site and the user experience.

Why We Collect Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide you with legal services (e.g., evaluate your case or claim, provide legal advice, and represent you);
  • Communicate with you (e.g., we may respond to messages in the website’s chat feature, set up meetings, and send you case updates, newsletters and other notifications);
  • Process fees (e.g., maintain and bill with respect to flat-rate, free, retainers, and even contingency-based legal services);
  • Improve our offerings (e.g., analyze data related to usage of our site and/or services to identify ways to make our site and offerings better);
  • Establish compliance with our legal and ethical responsibilities (e.g., comply with laws such as the Fair Debt Collections Practice Act where applicable, respect specific court orders, and abide by rules of professional conduct); and
  • Safeguard your personal information (e.g., combat fraudulent activity, disallow use by unauthorized persons, and protect the integrity of cloud storage providers).

Basis For Processing Your Data

Priest and Ellis, PLLC uses your information under one or more of the following legal justifications:

  • Your Consent: If you provide us with information such as when filling out an online form or signing up for a consultation;
  • Contractual Obligation: As necessary to perform our obligations to you as a client or prospective client;
  • Legal Requirement: To comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and ethical rules applicable to attorneys generally;
  • Legitimate Interests of Priest and Ellis: To pursue legitimate business interests for our operations, to enhance our services, and to protect the rights and property of Priest and Ellis, plaintiff or another party as the circumstances warrant, provided that such interests do not unjustifiably interfere with your rights and interests.

How We Use Your Information

Priest and Ellis, PLLC will never sell your personal information. We may use and share your information in the following ways:

  • Within the Firm: Firm attorneys and authorized personnel may access your information for case management and client service purposes.
  • With Third Parties: We may share the information with trusted third-party service providers (for credit card payment processing, IT services, or court filing services) as needed to provide legal services. All third-parties are obligated to maintain confidentiality and data security.
  • Legal Needs: We may disclose the information as legally required in order to comply with a court order, subpoena or law enforcement request, or otherwise protect your rights, ours or the rights of others.
  • With Your Consent: In certain cases we may share the information with other parties at your direction (for family members or other loved ones, a medical provider or expert witness, or your co-counsel).

Attorney-Client Privilege And Your Information

Your communications with us, Priest and Ellis, PLLC through this web site in seeking or receiving legal advice are considered ‘privileged’ and as such protected by limited exceptions under State of Washington law. We employ rigorous confidentiality protocols and take all reasonable steps to avoid disclosures of a privileged nature without your prior permission other than as is legally or ethically required.

This information has been provided purely as a public-service in regard to services offered.

Safeguarding Your Information

Keeping your information secure is a primary concern at Priest and Ellis, PLLC. We use a combination of physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards to ensure that your information is not seen, disclosed, or modified by unauthorized persons. Our security system includes:

  • Restricted office access: Only designated personnel have access to client files.
  • Electronic security: Information is maintained on secure servers that are protected by firewalls, encryption, password access, and other safeguards.
  • Staff training: All our attorneys and staff are regularly trained on data privacy, data security, and confidentiality matters.
  • Paperless methods when appropriate: Encrypted email and/or secure file sharing sites are used when necessary for sharing client information.

How Long We Store Your Information

Priest and Ellis, PLLC retains client records only as long as necessary to effectively serve our clients, comply with legal requirements, and address disputes that may arise. As a general rule, case files and related material are maintained for a period of time required under Washington State law (generally for not less than a period of seven years beyond the conclusion of the matter), at which time they are securely disposed of or deleted. You can request earlier secure disposal of your file, subject to legal and ethical limitations.

Your Options And Rights

Many important rights exist for you in relation to your personal information, including:

  • Copy: You can ask us to provide you with a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Correction: You can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data we have about you.
  • Erasure: You can ask us to delete the personal data we hold about you, subject to legal requirements.
  • Restriction: You can ask us to restrict the processing of your remaining personal data (see above).
  • Withdrawal of Consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

Any such rights can be exercised by contacting us using any of the contact details provided at the end of the Policy. We will respond to your requests promptly in line with applicable law.

Cookies And Your Use Of Our Websites

Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies to provide you a better browsing experience, to analyze site performance and usage, and to assist in marketing efforts. Cookies enable us to maintain the session information of users online, track the usage of most commonly used sections of our site, and ensure users can navigate between pages smoothly. Cookies can be blocked by users through their browser settings. However, blocking cookies may affect the full functionality of our website. Third-party analytics tools are employed on our website; such tools include Google Analytics, and these third-party providers process data in accordance with their respective privacy policies.

Web Links And Third-Party Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services not maintained or controlled by Priest and Ellis, PLLC. This Privacy Policy for the Site does not apply to those third-parties. Priest and Ellis, PLLC is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of other websites. You should consult the privacy policies of external sites that you access, visit, or use through our Site.

Children’s Privacy

Priest and Ellis, PLLC does not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under the age of 13. Our services are for use by adults and families exclusively. If we learn that we have collected Personal Information from a child under age of 13 without verification of parental consent, we will delete such information as soon as reasonably practicable.

International Transfers Of Your Personal Data

Disclaimer: While Priest and Ellis, PLLC delivers services primarily to clients located in Vancouver, WA and the surrounding area, this website is accessible from jurisdictions outside the United States. If you are accessing our website from a location outside of the United States, please be advised that any information you submit may be transmitted to, processed, or stored in the United States, where laws on data protection may be different than the laws of your country. By retaining us and/or sending any information to us, you agree to these transfers.

Updates To This Privacy Policy

We may make changes to our Privacy Policy from time to time as our practices change, as law changes, or for other business purposes. Any revisions or updates will be reflected by an updated policy effective date on this page. We encourage you to periodically review this policy so you are informed on how we protect your information. Continued use of our services and/or our website, following the posting of changes to this Privacy Policy, constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

Contacting Us

If you have any questions, comments, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices in general please contact:

Priest and Ellis, PLLC
211 E Mcloughlin Blvd #120
Vancouver, WA 98663
Tel: [Note: Please call our office during normal business hours.]
Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-3pm

You may also wish to use the form located on our site that allows for online request for a consultation or other privacy-related request, comment, or question. We will respond in a timely manner, and do our best to address any Privacy Policy concerns you may have.

Your Agreement To This Privacy Policy

Through your use of the Priest and Ellis, PLLC website, your submission of information to us, or your agreement to have us perform legal services for you, you agree and consent to our collection, use, and disclosure of your information in the manner described in this privacy policy. If you do not agree with our practices, do not use the site or otherwise submit your personal information to us.

When This Privacy Policy Takes Effect

This Privacy Policy is effective as of June 1, 2024. This policy replaces all prior iterations and is applicable to all data gathered by Priest and Ellis, PLLC post the above-referenced date. For historical privacy practice or for questions related to our prior policy please reach out to our office directly.

Upholding Ethical Practices In All We Do

At Priest and Ellis, PLLC, we are committed to ethical practice not only in our provision of legal services but also in the ways in which we protect your personally identifiable information. Our goal is to build mutual trust and confidence with each individual client and member of the communities we serve. Attorneys at Priest and Ellis, PLLC are subject to the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct which require adherence to stringent rules of privacy and confidentiality. We make this commitment to regularly update and revise our privacy practices in order to ensure compliance with changing legal requirements and reasonable client expectations.

Language And Accessibility Considerations

Priest and Ellis, PLLC strives to ensure that we provide our privacy policy and data collection practices in a manner readily accessible to all clients. If you are a client with a disability or have limited English proficiency, upon request, we can make this policy available to you in an alternate format or arrange for translation services during our consultations. If you cannot read or otherwise access the Privacy Policy as provided, we encourage you to contact our office for assistance.

Resolving Disputes And Complaints

If you feel that the firm has not respected your data privacy rights or if you have any other concerns about our handling of your information or business with the firm, we encourage you to contact Priest and Ellis, PLLC directly so that we may work collaboratively to address your concerns. If you continue to be unsatisfied and feel there are grounds for a complaint, you may have the right to submit a complaint with the Washington State Bar Association or other related regulatory bodies. We will work to honor all privacy disputes in accordance with applicable law and ethics rules.

Final Words And A Few Next Steps

Your trust is important to us. We encourage you to contact our office with questions related to this Privacy Policy or our legal services. If you are ready to move forward, you can call Priest and Ellis, PLLC at 211 E Mcloughlin Blvd #120, Vancouver, WA 98663 between regular business hours (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-3pm) with the intention to set up a flat-rate or free consultation. We look forward to serving your family law, elder law, or criminal defense case-while keeping your privacy, dignity, and well-being in mind.