HOW MY STUDY IS USEFUL FOR MY FUTURE IT JOB completion of this course, the student will: · Recognize the legal aspects of information security systems. · Examine the concept of privacy an

Running head: SMITH’S GLOBAL LAW FIRM 0

Smith’s Global Law Firm

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Smith’s Global Law Firm

Executive Summary

Smith’s Global Law Firm is an organization that offers legal services to individuals and corporations in a timely and cost-effective manner. Mostly, this organization has set up advising various clients concerning their legal rights and representing them in civil or criminal cases, business dealings, and other issues that demand legal guidance. As a legal firm, we are committed to providing professional advice to clients who face various legal hurdles and challenges (Wheeler & Betram, 2019). The firm’s staff has acquired additional specialized education and training from different law schools and institutions. Their expertise makes it easy to find solutions to various challenges that the client is undergoing. During its early stages, the firm dealt with specific legal matters, but over time its jurisdiction has grown and now offers additional services. Some of our practice areas include; negotiating contracts, risk management, immigration guidance, intellectual property, legal audit and compliance, corporate restructuring, banking and finance, property development, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, litigation, and settlement of debts. Dispute resolution also forms a significant part of the services offered by Smith’s Global Law Firm. Matters of mediation and arbitration are dealt with by legal counsel, and this meant to solve various client disputes. For regular client interaction, Smith’s Global Law Firm has committed to ensuring that the client’s privacy is respected and protected. As an organization, we respect and uphold privacy as it enables people to engage freely at different levels while remaining protected from unwarranted interference by individuals, companies, and even states (Buyuksagis, 2019).

The firm is co-owned by various lawyers, all practicing lawyers and legal matters at different levels. We were drawing on the diverse backgrounds of the firm’s stakeholders; we hold public and legal interest and thus prioritize the outcome of cases for our clients. The stakeholders’ professional credentials serve as a boost in pursuing legal matters both locally and internationally. 

Policy Statements

Policy 1.1 policy statement section overview

The following are a set of rules that govern the firm’s actions and that of the staff: 

Data Collection and Usage

Smith’s Global Law Firm collects information directly from clients or automatically by filling out forms provided by the firm through their website. The report includes contact information and may consist of personal and company names, email addresses, phone/fax number, physical address, and other contact details that might be necessary. Additionally, the firm collects business information, and it is information about what business the client does, which they instruct the firm to undertake on their behalf, or the client took part. Other information collected is information from third parties, and this forms part of the large policy. Smith’s Global Law Firm holds that information from third parties should be from client representatives, professional advisers, and government records. Aside from the indicated sources, the firm does not wish to acquire information arbitrarily or in any unauthorized manner from another source.

Information connected to on-going investigations or legal proceedings- this can be done where there is an on-going investigation and upon agreement with the client. The firm also takes attendance records, and this aimed at recording data about the client’s visits to Smith’s Global Law Firm.

This policy also provides for Preferences, which is a right reserved for the client and indicates how they wish to engage with the law firm. Which includes ways in which a client can reach out to and other agreements. If a client’s social media engagements form part of the legal dispute, then the law firm collects information about posts, tweets, likes, and other interactions. In this category, Special data is collected and may not apply to all clients and include information about disability, dietary issues, and similar information. This information is particularly important and helps the firm understand the case's full scope and, hence, respond appropriately. Other information sought by the firm includes criminal record data. It should be where the national or state law approves so, and the firm records information about the client's past or current criminal offenses.

The above information is subject to consent by the client and or any other law that legally binds the firm and the client (Raul, 2018). 

Policy 1.2 policy statement contents

Use Of personal data

The firm uses the client’s data for various reasons. One is to provide service, and the firm uses personal data to provide legal advice and fulfill its legal obligation. Mainly, the firm cannot proceed in any case without having the necessary information about the client. Failure to access a client’s personal information reflects on the outcome of the case. The firm also uses the information for the business relationship. This offers the firm the chance to monitor, manage, and perform various functions of the business with the client's consent and authorization. For example, a client may approach the firm seeking legal advice on the management of their business, tax payments, and maintenance of positive streams of cash flows. In this case, Smith’s Global Law Firm offers legal support for the client and becomes part of the significant business decisions. The firm uses the information provided by the client to pursue the legitimate business interests of the firm and while acting within the firm’s legal jurisdiction. Integrity questions arise when the firm goes beyond their legal jurisdiction and uses the information for other illegitimate activities.

Reasons for using personal data

The firm uses personal data with the client’s consent, and the firm can only share data when the client gives consent (Martin et al., 2017). The firm also uses the client’s data in compliance with a legal and regulatory framework, which involves providing information to any law enforcement agency as a requirement of law. For example, a state or federal government could be following up on a money laundering case, and their investigation leads them to demand the information of a client being represented by the firm. In such a case, the charge is criminal and against the law, and thus the firm will give necessary information to help the law enforcement agencies accomplish their investigation. 

Disclosure of personal information

This is in line with persons or bodies that the firm is allowed to share personal information. One of them is subsidiary offices and affiliates, and they should form part of the company and not, in any case, should the firm share the information with outsiders. In most cases, subsidiary offices are spread in other countries and registered as part of the firm. Affiliates are persons authorized to conduct business on behalf of the firm, and they are, in certain circumstances, entitled to the information of the client. The firm also shares information with suppliers. Suppliers include IT and communication experts within the firm and other authorized persons that should meet minimum security standards regarding privacy. Law enforcement agencies are also given access to information, and this should be done following the requirements of the law and with complete consideration of good practices. In case of emergencies like health units seeking information in the case, a client requires urgent medical attention. Others that do not satisfy the legal requirements are not provided with the information they demand from the firm regarding a particular client. Engagements with third parties like a case of a merger and acquisition deal, the firm provides information in line with the business reorganization. The firm acts with transparency and does not conceal information when two or more parties are involved. 

Policy 1.3 Comprehensive policy statements

Personal data about other people 

The client should give a notice to the person they wish to provide personal information about and consequently get consent. The firm does not allow the provision or disclosure of other people’s information without their consent. The client cannot knowingly present false claims of consent before the firm, as it is against the law and principles of good practices.

Security

As a firm, we protect the client’s information at all times and all costs. The firm intends to take reasonable measures that will secure and protect the client’s personal information. However, the firm cannot guarantee protection for information shared by the client through unsecured websites or other means.

Holding of information

As a global legal firm, a client’s personal information is only shared with consent and where the firm is deemed to act by the law. Smith’s Legal will take appropriate legal steps that observe local and international data protection policies. The firm fulfilled international legal requirements like the Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), which is a requirement in Article 46(2)(c) of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Retention of data

The firm shall, by the law, retain data for 3 to 15 years. The year of retention will be subject to change based on various policies approved by the firm and with the consent of the client. Any client who wishes to withdraw his or her personal information from the firm should be free to forward their claim. 

Client Rights 

A client is entitled to ask anything about the personal information they provide and be granted access when they make that request. A client is also entitled to make adjustments to the information they provided at their request. A client is entitled to ask the firm to erase personal data under certain circumstances. However, the firm may not oblige when a law enforcement agency is following up on a criminal case or claim. Before the transfer of information, the firm will reach out to the client for consent before transferring their information to other parties. The client is entitled to challenge or object the information being processed about them in certain circumstances.

Children

The firm will not knowingly collect information from persons aged less than 16 years. The Smith’s Global Law Firm undertakes to protect their client’s personal information and acknowledge everyone that trusts us with their information that they are kept safe.

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• Buyuksagis, E. (2019). Towards a Transatlantic Concept of Data Privacy. Fordham Intell. Prop. Media & Ent. LJ, 30, 139.

• Martin, K. D., Borah, A., & Palmatier, R. W. (2017). Data privacy: Effects on customer and firm performance. Journal of Marketing, 81(1), 36-58.

• Raul, A. C. (Ed.). (2018). The privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity law review. Law Business Research Limited.

• Wheeler, A. M., & Bertram, B. (2019). The counselor and the law: A guide to legal and ethical practice. John Wiley & Sons.