Effective Date: August 26, 2026

 

The Law Office of Hunt, Sockwell, Tinkham and Burress ("HSTB," the "Firm," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information obtained through `hstblaw.com` (the "Website"), our intake and legal-service processes, and our communications with clients and prospective clients, including SMS and MMS text messaging.

 

1. Information We Collect

 

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

 

- Identifying and contact information, such as your name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number;

- Information you provide when requesting a consultation or legal services;

- Information concerning an actual or potential legal matter, including documents, communications, facts, dates, adverse-party information, and other case-related information;

- Communications you send to or receive from the Firm, including telephone calls, emails, and SMS or MMS messages;

- Administrative, billing, payment, and transaction information associated with legal services; and

- Website and device information that may be collected automatically, such as IP address, browser type, device type, referring pages, pages visited, and similar usage information.

 

Please do not submit confidential or time-sensitive information through the Website unless the Firm has instructed you to do so. Contacting the Firm or submitting information through the Website does not, by itself, create an attorney-client relationship.

 

2. How We Collect Information

 

We may collect information:

 

- Directly from you, including through the Website, telephone calls, email, text messages, written forms, consultations, and in-person communications;

- From clients, prospective clients, witnesses, opposing parties, courts, governmental agencies, service providers, and other persons or sources relevant to an actual or potential legal matter; and

- Automatically through the Website and the technology providers that operate or secure it.

 

3. How We Use Information

 

We may use information to:

 

- Respond to inquiries and schedule consultations;

- Evaluate, establish, administer, and provide legal services;

- Communicate with clients and prospective clients about appointments, court dates, matter updates, document requests, billing, and other service-related issues;

- Maintain records, manage matters, process billing, and operate the Firm;

- Improve, maintain, secure, and troubleshoot the Website and our technology systems;

- Detect and prevent fraud, misuse, security incidents, or other harmful activity;

- Comply with applicable law, court orders, professional obligations, and ethical requirements; and

- Carry out other purposes authorized or requested by you.

 

4. How We Disclose Information

 

We may disclose information when reasonably necessary:

 

- Within the Firm to attorneys, employees, contractors, and other personnel involved in providing or administering services;

- To vendors and service providers that perform services on our behalf, such as website hosting, cloud storage, communications, information technology, security, document management, billing, and similar operational services;

- To courts, governmental authorities, opposing parties, co-counsel, experts, investigators, witnesses, insurers, medical providers, and others when authorized by the client or appropriate in connection with legal services;

- To comply with law, legal process, court orders, professional obligations, or ethical duties; or

- With your direction, authorization, or consent.

 

We do not sell or rent personal information.

 

5. Mobile Messaging Privacy

 

If you affirmatively consent to receive text messages from HSTB, we may send SMS or MMS messages concerning consultations, appointments, court dates, matter updates, document requests, billing or administrative issues, and responses to your communications. Message frequency varies based on your matter activity and communications with the Firm. **Message and data rates may apply.** You may reply **STOP** to opt out or **HELP** for assistance.

 

**We do not share, sell, rent, or provide your mobile phone number or SMS/MMS opt-in data and consent to third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.**

 

Mobile information may be processed by telecommunications carriers and technology service providers solely as necessary to transmit messages, maintain the messaging service, prevent abuse, or comply with law. Those providers are not authorized by the Firm to use mobile information or messaging consent for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

 

Text-message consent is voluntary and is not a condition of receiving legal services. If you decline or withdraw consent, the Firm may continue to communicate with you through other appropriate channels, such as telephone or email.

 

For additional information, please review our [SMS Terms and Conditions](https://www.hstblaw.com/sms-terms).

 

6. Cookies and Website Technology

 

The Website or its service providers may use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Website, remember preferences, analyze usage, and improve security and performance. You may be able to limit cookies through your browser settings, although doing so may affect certain Website functions.

 

7. Data Security and Retention

 

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information. No website, electronic communication, storage system, or transmission method is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

 

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, to provide legal services, to comply with legal and professional obligations, to resolve disputes, and to enforce agreements. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the nature of the matter.

 

8. Third-Party Websites and Services

 

The Website may link to websites or services operated by third parties. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies, and the Firm is not responsible for their content or privacy practices.

 

9. Children's Privacy

 

The Website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. Information concerning a minor may nevertheless be collected when provided by a parent, guardian, client, or other authorized person in connection with an inquiry or legal matter.

 

10. Your Choices

 

You may contact us to request that we update or correct your contact information. Certain information may need to be retained to comply with legal, ethical, contractual, recordkeeping, or other professional obligations.

 

To stop text messages, reply **STOP** to any message from the Firm. To request assistance with text messaging, reply **HELP** or contact us using the information below.

 

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

 

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any revised policy will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Changes apply prospectively unless otherwise stated or required by law.

 

12. Contact Us

 

Questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices may be directed to:

 

The Law Office of Hunt, Sockwell, Tinkham and Burress

401 East Tombigbee Street  

Florence, Alabama 35630  

Telephone: [(256) 272-1542](tel:+12562721542)  

Website: [https://www.hstblaw.com](https://www.hstblaw.com)