Privacy Policy

Yvette A. Hipolito-Samper Law Office (the “Law Office,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect personal information when you visit our website, contact us, request a consultation, communicate with us, or use any related online features.

This Privacy Policy is intended to align with applicable privacy principles, including the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012 and related regulations. It also includes SMS/text messaging disclosures intended to support U.S. A2P 10DLC and text-message compliance expectations when SMS features are used.

By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone or mobile number
• Mailing address, if provided
• Consultation request details
• Message or inquiry content
• Preferred contact method
• Information you submit through forms, emails, calls, messages, or other communications

Because this is a law office website, information you choose to submit may include details about legal concerns, family matters, property matters, estate matters, litigation issues, or other sensitive circumstances. Please do not submit confidential, privileged, or highly sensitive information through a general website form unless and until an attorney-client relationship has been formally established.

We may also automatically collect limited technical information, such as:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Pages visited
• Date and time of visit
• Referring website
• General usage and analytics data
• Approximate geographic location (country, region, city) derived from your IP address
• Browser, operating system, screen size, language, and time zone
• An anonymous first-party visitor identifier stored in your browser to distinguish repeat visits

This technical information is collected by our own first-party analytics — it is not shared with third-party advertising networks. It is used solely to understand site usage, improve our services, and maintain security. Analytics records are automatically deleted after 365 days. Visits by Law Office staff and administrators are excluded from analytics collection.

2. How We Use Information

We may use personal information for the following purposes:

• To respond to inquiries and consultation requests
• To communicate with you about legal services
• To schedule, confirm, or follow up on consultations
• To evaluate whether we may assist with a potential matter
• To perform conflict checks and administrative intake, where appropriate
• To provide legal services if an attorney-client relationship is formed
• To send appointment reminders, service-related updates, or requested information
• To improve website content, functionality, security, and user experience
• To comply with legal, regulatory, ethical, recordkeeping, or professional obligations
• To protect the rights, safety, and security of the Law Office, clients, website users, and others

3. SMS / Text Messaging Privacy

If you provide your mobile number and affirmatively opt in to receive SMS/text messages, we may use your mobile number to send messages related to your inquiry, consultation request, appointment scheduling, appointment reminders, follow-ups, document requests, service updates, or other communications related to legal services.

Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. You may request assistance by replying HELP or by contacting us using the information below.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties except service providers, aggregators, carriers, or platforms as necessary to deliver SMS messages and support messaging services.

Consent to receive SMS messages is not required to request a consultation, hire the Law Office, or receive legal services.

4. Email Communications

If you provide your email address, we may use it to respond to your inquiry, communicate about consultations or legal services, and send service-related updates. If we send optional newsletters or marketing emails in the future, you may unsubscribe using the instructions in the email or by contacting us.

5. Cookies and Analytics

This website may use cookies, pixels, analytics tools, or similar technologies to understand website usage, improve performance, remember preferences, and support security.

You can usually adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies. Some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

6. How We Share Information

We do not sell personal information.

We may share personal information only when reasonably necessary for legitimate purposes, including:

• With service providers that help operate the website, forms, hosting, analytics, communications, scheduling, SMS delivery, email delivery, or security tools
• With professional advisers, consultants, or support staff assisting the Law Office under appropriate confidentiality obligations
• With courts, government agencies, regulators, opposing parties, or other persons when required or permitted in connection with legal services, legal obligations, or professional duties
• When required by law, court order, subpoena, regulation, or lawful government request
• To protect rights, safety, security, property, or legal interests
• With your consent or at your direction

All sharing categories exclude mobile opt-in data and text messaging consent for marketing or promotional purposes. We do not share SMS opt-in data with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional use.

7. Attorney-Client and Confidential Information

Submitting information through this website does not automatically create an attorney-client relationship. If an attorney-client relationship is formed, information related to your representation may be subject to attorney-client privilege, confidentiality duties, professional rules, engagement terms, and applicable law.

Until representation is formally accepted, please avoid sending confidential, privileged, or urgent legal information through general website forms.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including responding to inquiries, managing consultations, providing legal services, maintaining records, complying with legal or professional obligations, resolving disputes, and protecting rights.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information, the nature of the legal matter, applicable laws, professional obligations, and legitimate business needs.

9. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

However, no website, email, form, database, or internet transmission is completely secure. You use the website and submit information at your own risk.

10. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on applicable law and your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:

• Be informed about how your personal information is collected and used
• Access personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Object to or withdraw consent for certain processing activities
• Request deletion, blocking, or restriction of personal information, subject to legal and professional obligations
• Request data portability, where applicable
• Lodge a complaint with a privacy or data protection authority
• Seek damages where provided by applicable law

To exercise privacy rights, contact us using the information below. We may need to verify your identity before processing a request. Some requests may be limited by legal, ethical, professional, recordkeeping, or legitimate business obligations.

11. International Users

The Law Office is based in the Philippines, but this website may be accessed by users from other countries. If you contact us from outside the Philippines, you understand that your information may be processed in the Philippines or in other locations where our service providers operate.

12. Children’s Privacy

This website is intended for adults and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent. If you believe a child has provided personal information through this website, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

13. Third-Party Links

This website may link to third-party websites, social media pages, maps, scheduling tools, or external platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party websites or services. Please review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

14. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the website after updates are posted means you acknowledge the updated Privacy Policy.

15. Contact Us

For questions, privacy requests, SMS opt-out help, or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Yvette A. Hipolito-Samper Law Office
Address: 4th St. Ext Guingona Subd. Brgy Jose Rizal Pob, Butuan City, 8600 Agusan Del Norte, Philippines
Email: info@hipolitosamperlaw.com
Phone: +63 933 821 7011