Privacy Policy – Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer

Privacy Policy Introduction

Welcome to the Privacy Policy of Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. (“the Firm” or “we”), your law firm for all things real estate in Asheville, North Carolina. This policy details the collection and use of your information via our website, through the legal services we render to you, and otherwise when you communicate with us. We honor your privacy rights and are committed to keeping your private information safe and protected in compliance with applicable law and ethical rules. When you use our services or reach us via our website, you agree to the policies herein.

Who We Are

Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. is a real estate law firm located at 2 Town Square Blvd, Suite 350, Asheville, NC 28803. We provide our clients in Asheville and Western North Carolina with a full spectrum of real estate law services. Attorneys John Rose and Greg, paralegals Kristin Ulmer and Jasmine, are dedicated to professionalism, clarity of understanding, and a service-oriented approach to our work. Please call us at (828) 258-0150 during Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, if you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your information.

What Information We Gather

Personal data: This includes your name, postal address, email address, phone number, and any other contact details that you communicate to us during a consultation with our attorneys or as a user of our website.
Transactional data: This includes any information related to your real estate transactions, such as your property addresses, the content of the purchase and sale contract, details about the deed, and financial details related to the closing and submissions to law registries.
Communication records: This includes the content of any written communications, emails, notes taken by attorneys, and records of communications with our attorneys or staff members.
Technical information: This includes any information that is automatically recorded when you visit our website, such as Internet Protocol addresses (IP), browser information, devices used to connect, operating system, wireless connection, platforms used to access our website, as well as a record of your browsing activities (this could be achieved through the use of cookies or tools with similar functions).
Compliance information: This includes documents and identification materials submitted to us in connection with anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, and Know Your Client (KYC) requirements that we have as a firm.

The Way We Gather Information

We gather information in a variety of ways to provide you with accurate, secure, and tailored services:

Directly from you: When you complete the form on our website, contact our office, send us an email, or meet with us in person, we collect information you provide directly to us.
During the course of services: If you retain or receive real estate legal services from us, we collect additional information during intake or as we work on your matter.
From third parties: With your consent, or where required for legal purposes, we will obtain information about you from brokers, title companies, public records, state or government agencies, and other providers or professionals contributing to your matter.
Automatically: Cookies and analytic tools on our website help us assess technical data from visitors so that we can understand how visitors interact with our website and improve your experience.

How We Use Information

We respect the confidentiality of your information and will treat it in a manner consistent with professional and legal obligations. The primary purposes for collecting and processing your information are:

To provide legal services: To act on your behalf in connection with real estate matters, including: (a) representing you in connection with a transaction or litigation; (b) drafting or reviewing contracts; (c) obtaining title to property; (d) facilitating transfers; (e) completing closings; and/or (f) representing you in other real estate activities and transactions.
To communicate: To correspond with you relating to your legal matter, including responding to requests, making appointments, scheduling consultations, sharing information or updates about your matter or other material notices, and/or contacting you about our legal services, event announcements, or newsletters.
To comply with legal requirements: To address statutory, regulatory, and/or common law obligations, including, without limitation, anti-money laundering and sanction screening, conflict checks, recordkeeping, and other archive/reporting purposes.
To improve our services: To analyze our website(s), enhance our offerings, train personnel, and implement quality control and risk management measures.
To perform advertising/marketing services: If consent is obtained from the client or as otherwise permitted by applicable law or regulation, you may receive newsletters from us on legal developments, invitations to client social functions, and marketing material. You can withdraw your consent at any time for marketing materials.

How We Share Information

We consider your information to be confidential in nature and we will not sell, lease, or rent your information to third parties. Disclosure to third parties could be made:

With your consent: We will provide information to a third party such as a title company, real estate broker, or co-counsel at your direction in connection with your transaction.
As otherwise required by law: Disclosure could be made if compelled by law, court order, or government agency or regulatory authority.
To a service provider: We may share your information with trusted service provider third parties who assist us in providing services (such as IT support, document management, or payment processing) related to our services. Any such service providers will be required by contract to keep such information confidential and not use it for any purpose other than the purpose for which we provide such information.
In connection with professional responsibilities: We may disclose information about our clients when necessary to prevent conflicts of interest and to maintain records in accordance with the rules of the North Carolina State Bar.

How We Safeguard Information

Protection of your personal and transactional information is a major priority for Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. We use technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect that information:

Secure Office Facilities: Our physical offices are accessible only to authorized personnel; we have visitor protocols and secure systems for the storage of client documents.
Data Encryption: Electronic records, information, or data deemed to contain sensitive personal information as defined in the Alabama Security Breach Notification Law and the Texas Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act of 2006 are stored on secured servers which are encrypted, and transmission of confidential records are done via secure methods.
Access Controls: Staff have access to personal information on a need-to-know basis; all our employees are trained on privacy and confidentiality requirements.
Regular Audits: We regularly review and revise our privacy and security processes to adapt to new risks and industry standards.
Incident Response: If any incident occurs that may involve a breach of data or information, we have procedures established to investigate, contain, and prohibit further disclosure of the information, as well as notify all individuals who may be affected in line with required legal processes.

How Long We Retain Information

We will retain your Personal Information and Transactional Information only as needed to meet the purpose(s) for which it was collected, satisfy legal and regulatory requirements, and protect our legitimate interests. We typically keep legal files for at least 7 years after the end of your matter, or longer where applicable under the law. After the retention period has expired, we will securely destroy or anonymize the information. If you have specific questions about an exception in our data retention policy, or would like to request an earlier deletion of your information, please call our office.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your relationship with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP and applicable law, you may have the following rights concerning your Personally Identifiable Information:

Access: You have the right to request access to your personal data held by us, subject to legal and professional privilege.
Correction: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information we hold about you.
Deletion: You can request that we delete the personal data we hold about you, subject to our legal or professional duties requiring us to retain your information.
Restriction: Subject to legal obligations, you can ask us to restrict the processing of your personal data.
Opt out: You have the right to request not to receive marketing communications, which you can at any time register by contacting us via telephone or visiting our office.

You can exercise all of these rights at any time by calling our office (828) 258-0150 or by visiting our office during regular business hours.

Children’s Privacy Protection

Our services and our website are designed for the use of adult, sophisticated parties engaged in real estate transactions. We do not intentionally gather personally identifiable information from individuals under the age of 18 without the consent of their parent or guardian. If we learn that a person has provided us personal information and is under 18 years of age without the authorization of his or her parent or guardian, we will take steps to remove such information from our files. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided information to us, please contact our office so that we may resolve the issue.

Cookies and Web Analytics

We use cookies on this site. Cookies are small textual files stored by your internet browser on the hard drive of your computer or other electronic device. Cookies enable us both to recognize repeat visitors and also provide us – and third parties we work with – with metrics regarding how visitors use this site. We utilize third party analytics services to monitor activities on, and provide metrics about, the website. You can, of course, also disable website cookies through your browser, although in that case some portions of this website may not operate optimally. We do not use cookies to collect any of your sensitive personal information, or otherwise track your activities outside of unbiased outcome-focused data. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.

Links to Other Websites

For your convenience, our website may contain links to third-party websites, such as title companies, real estate companies, or other legal firms. These third-party websites may have their own privacy policies and practices, which differ from Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of all external sites you visit. Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. is not responsible for the privacy or security of information you provide to third-party websites.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to change or alter this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices, legal or regulatory requirements, or applicable technology now and in the future. Any changes will be announced on this page with a new effective date. We encourage you to refer back to this page from time to time so that you will be aware of the information we collect and use. Your continued use of the Services/Website is your consent to our current Privacy Policy.

Attorneys’ Ethical Obligations and Privilege

As a law firm, Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. is governed under the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct and other legal obligations to maintain the highest standard of client confidentiality. Any information you disclose to us in your pursuit of counsel is privileged and completely confidential. Client information is never disclosed to outside parties unless authorized by you, or as may be required by law. We treat your information very carefully, and only employees, contractors, and vendors working for the firm have access to your information.

International Considerations

Although the primary operations and data storage for this service occur in Asheville, North Carolina, and we serve the Western North Carolina community, these smaller technical support or help desk service providers may process your data outside the United States. In these situations, we take appropriate steps to ensure the protection of your personal information in compliance with applicable privacy legislation and frameworks as well as this Policy.

Data Breach Response Plan

If, in the unlikely event your personal information is compromised due to a data breach, we at Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. will act quickly to investigate and utilize available methods to mitigate harm as well as notify you as appropriate under North Carolina law and best practices. As always, we practice all communication with transparency and will keep affected individuals informed with timely updates and resources to assist them in protecting their interests.

To clarify: Do you want an unauthorized individual looking at some of your most personal information? Do you want a third party looking at private information belonging to you – information which, under federal and state law, you have an expectation of having kept confidential?

Your Privacy Questions, Concerns or Complaints

If you have any questions, comments, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your information (a “Privacy Request”), please direct such Privacy Requests to: Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A., 2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 350, Asheville, NC 28803, phone: (828) 258-0150 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30AM – 5:00PM). You may also submit a Privacy Request by using the website contact form or our official Facebook page. We will do our best to respond to your privacy inquiries within all appropriate timeframes.

We publish posts for informational purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be considered as such. Additionally, readers of this blog site should be aware that statements made in prior posts could be subject to a subsequent judicial invalidation.

Your Consent

By using our website, by providing information to us through our contact form, or by otherwise rendering services to us, you signify your assent to the collection, use, and disclosure of information about you as explained in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, please DO NOT use our website or exchange information with us. You may revoke your consent at any time, subject to restrictions under applicable law or contract, by contacting our office.

State-Specific Privacy Rights, including California

The Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. law firm represents clients in North Carolina. However, we recognize that residents from other states, such as California under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), are afforded certain privacy rights. As applicable, residents of such states may contact us to request information we may hold about you, request that information be deleted, and/or a description of how we may use your information. We will take reasonable efforts to meet such requests as required by applicable law.

Policy Updates and Your Obligations

You are likely aware of the significance of maintaining up-to-date contact information and transaction details as part of the ongoing real estate matter in which we are engaged. Please inform us immediately of any changes to your information or status that could impede our ability to communicate with you securely. We genuinely appreciate your cooperation in these efforts to ensure accurate records and that your matters are properly addressed.

Client and Third-Party Endorsements

From time to time we may ask that you permit us to use a testimonial or other comments you have regarding our services for the purpose of marketing or providing information about our services. We will only publish a testimonial with your express consent and will not publish or identify any personal information contained in that material if you so desire. At no time will we include any confidential information relevant to your legal matter in any advertising or promotional materials.

Third-Party Service Providers

To provide efficient, high-quality legal services, we may use third parties to perform services on our behalf, such as IT support, document storage, payment processing, or marketing data analytics. All of our third-party service providers are carefully vetted and have contractually agreed to keep your information confidential and secure, and to use such data only to provide services on our behalf. Our vendors are prohibited from using your data for their own marketing or other unrelated purposes.

Information Is Not Sold

Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. does not sell or rent your personal information to any third parties for commercial marketing or any other purposes. Your level of trust is vital for us and the type of business we do. Your personal information is only used as needed to further the services described in this Privacy Policy.

Filing a Complaint

If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, or if you are dissatisfied with the way that your information may have been used, you have every right to resolve the matter with our office directly by calling us at (828) 258-0150. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to file a grievance with the North Carolina State Bar or any other appropriate government agency. We absolutely intend to handle privacy matters promptly and as any reasonable person would expect.

Privacy Policy Effective Date

This Privacy Policy is in effect as of April 15, 2024. Updates or changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Please check this privacy policy from time to time for the most current information about our privacy practices.

In Closing & Protecting Your Privacy

At Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A., protecting your privacy is an integral part of our commitment to providing you with outstanding, reliable real estate legal services in Asheville and Western North Carolina. We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality, security, and professionalism in handling your personal and transactional data. Should you have any concerns or questions regarding your privacy, please feel free to call us at (828) 258-0150 or stop by our office location 2 Town Square Blvd, Suite 350 Asheville, NC 28803. Our firm appreciates your business as your real estate law firm.

Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A

Contact us today for detail on our privacy practices or to schedule a consultation to discuss your real estate legal matters with Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A. Call (828) 258-0150, visit our office at 2 Town Square Blvd, Suite 350, Asheville, NC 28803 or use our website’s contact form. We’ll gladly assist buyers, sellers, brokers, and developers in providing skilled and dedicated legal advice. See how professional, client-centered service and matter expertise make all the difference.