Last Updated : 6 August 2025

1. Who We Are

Guzun & Associates Lawyers Inc. ("we", "our", "us") operates the website avocatguzun.com and provides legal services—particularly in family, criminal, immigration, civil and commercial matters—through offices in Montréal, Québec. Our principal place of business is 15 B, rue McGill, Suite 105‑1, Montréal (QC) H2Y 4A3, Canada.

2. Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, request a consultation, or engage our legal services. It applies to all users worldwide, in compliance with:

• Québec’s Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector (as amended by Bill 64 / Law 25).
• Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
• The Code of Professional Conduct of Lawyers (Barreau du Québec).
• The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable.
• Other relevant privacy and professional‑secrecy laws.

3. Information We Collect

We do not knowingly solicit information from children under 14. However, in family‑law files we may receive minor‑related data from parents or guardians with legal authority.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

1. Assess your request, verify identity, and determine potential conflicts of interest.
2. Provide legal advice, representation, and related services you request.
3. Manage retainer agreements, process payments, and issue invoices or trust‑account receipts.
4. Communicate with you regarding your file, deadlines, hearings, or legal updates.
5. Maintain client files and comply with professional, ethical, and legal obligations (e.g., Bar rules, anti‑money‑laundering laws).
6. Improve website usability and firm operations through analytics.
7. Send legal updates or event invitations (with consent).
8. Protect our rights, property, and safety and those of our clients.

Sensitive & Privileged Data – We obtain your explicit, informed consent before processing any sensitive data (e.g., criminal records, immigration status, racial or ethnic origin) and treat all client communications as confidential and, where applicable, protected by solicitor‑client privilege.

5. Legal Bases (GDPR)

Where the GDPR applies, our legal bases are:

• Performance of a contract (providing legal services).
• Consent (marketing communications, optional cookies).
• Explicit consent for sensitive data (Articles 9 & 10 GDPR).
• Legal obligation (professional conduct rules, anti‑money‑laundering).
• Legitimate interests (conflict checks, fraud prevention, IT security), balanced against your rights.

6. Sharing & Disclosure

We share your information only when necessary and in line with professional secrecy:

• Service Providers – secure case‑management systems, cloud storage, IT support, email/SMS gateways, all bound by confidentiality agreements and located in jurisdictions offering adequate protection.
• Opposing counsel, courts, tribunals, or government agencies – strictly as required for your file and with your instructions or as mandated by law.
• Professional Advisors – accountants, auditors, insurers.
• Authorities – when legally compelled or to prevent imminent harm.
• Business Transfers – in the event of firm reorganisation, subject to equivalent safeguards.

We do not sell or rent your personal information.

7. International Transfers

Some service providers host data outside Québec/Canada (e.g., EU or United States). Before any cross‑border transfer, we perform a Privacy Impact Assessment (ÉFVP) to verify that the destination jurisdiction ensures adequate protection, as required by Law 25. We then rely on Standard Contractual Clauses or other legally recognised safeguards.

8. Retention

Client files are retained for at least 7 years after the matter closes (or longer if required by professional or statutory obligations).
Conflict‑check records are retained indefinitely to uphold ethical duties.
Contact‑form submissions are kept 24 months after last correspondence.
Analytics data are anonymised or deleted after 26 months.
After these periods, information is securely destroyed or anonymised.

9. Security

We employ administrative, technical, and physical safeguards: encrypted storage, secure client portals, access controls, multi‑factor authentication, and regular penetration testing. Despite best efforts, no method is infallible; we continually refine our measures.

10. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may:

• Access or correct your personal information.
• Withdraw consent (marketing, optional cookies, sensitive‑data processing).
• Request deletion (subject to mandatory retention and privilege).
• Obtain a portable copy of your data.
• Restrict or object to certain processing.
• Lodge a complaint with the Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, or your local data‑protection authority.

Submit requests to our Privacy Officer (Section 13). We respond within legal timeframes (generally 30 days in Québec).

11. Cookies & Similar Technologies

We use:

• Essential cookies for site functionality and security.
• Analytics cookies (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand traffic.
• Marketing cookies for remarketing (with consent).

New visitors see a cookie banner allowing them to accept all cookies, accept essentials only, or manage preferences, in compliance with Law 25 and GDPR.

12. Third‑Party Links

Our website may contain links to external resources (bar associations, government portals). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before providing information.

13. Contact Us

Privacy Officer – Guzun & Associates Lawyers Inc.
Email: office@avocatguzun.com
Phone: +1 514 842‑7414
Mail: 15 B, rue McGill, Suite 105‑1, Montréal (QC) H2Y 4A3, Canada

14. Changes to This Policy

We may amend this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in law or practice. Updated versions will bear a new “Last Updated” date, and we will seek consent where required.