Last Revised: May 12, 2023

This Client Privacy Policy explains how Startup Venture Advisors, PC (“Startup Venture Advisors”, “we” or “us”) collects, uses, and discloses personal information in connection with our legal representation of clients (collectively, the “Services”). We may change this policy from time to time. If we make changes, we will notify you by methods we typically use to interact with you.

We may provide different or additional privacy policies that may further describe our information handling practices.

Collection of Information

We routinely collect or receive personal information in the course of providing Services to our clients, including information about our clients, our clients’ employees and business associates, and other individuals connected to the Services we provide. We may collect this information directly from our clients or from other parties in relation to a matter in which we represent our clients. The type and volume of personal information we collect varies depending on the legal practice area(s) involved in providing Services to the client. For example, we may collect:

  • contact details, such as name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and social media profiles;

  • identity-related information, such as Social Security number, passport number, birth certificate, residency status, visa information, and military status;

  • education and employment information, such as job title, and company details, information relating to an expert witness’s background, salary and benefits information, and employment history;

  • demographic information, such as age, date and place of birth, gender, and nationality;

  • commercial and financial information, such as invoices, payment information, bank account statements, tax returns, and information about assets and net worth;

  • location information;

  • sensitive information, such as personal health information, political views and contributions, criminal history, and organization membership; and

  • any other information provided to us in connection with the Services.

Use of Information

We use the personal information we collect to provide the Services to our clients, including to defend against current, prospective, or potential legal claims; advise on personal or estate planning; ensure compliance with legal obligations; assist with due diligence and commercial deals; advise on mergers and acquisitions; and various other legal activities. We may also use the information we collect to:

  • facilitate client intake and administration, including generating bills, invoices, and disbursements;

  • communicate with you about our Services, events and other information we think will be of interest;

  • respond to comments, questions, and requests;

  • analyze and improve our provision of the Services and enhance knowledge management across the firm;

  • fulfill our obligations under the law, including to comply with legal process or for regulatory compliance purposes; and

  • for any other purpose described at the time we collect personal information.

Sharing of Information

We may share personal information as follows or as otherwise described in this policy:

  • with our clients in connection with the Services we provide to these clients;

  • with vendors, professional advisors and consultants (such as lawyers, accountants, and insurers), and other service providers who are working on our behalf and need access to this information to carry out their work for us;

  • in connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business to another company;

  • in response to a request for information if we believe disclosure is in accordance with, or required by, any applicable law or legal process, including lawful requests by public authorities to meet national security or law enforcement requirements;

  • if we believe an individual’s actions are inconsistent with an agreement or policy to which they are subject, or to protect the rights, property, and safety of us or any third party; and

  • with our clients’ consent or at their direction.

We may also share aggregated or de-identified information, which cannot reasonably be used to identify the individual.

Your Choices

You may opt out of receiving promotional communications from us or request changes to your communication preferences by contacting us at info@startupventureadvisors.com. Please note that even if you opt out of receiving promotional emails, we may still send you non-promotional communications, such as those about our ongoing business relations.

Additional Information for California Residents

Additional Disclosures Related to Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Information

The California Consumer Privacy Act or “CCPA” (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.100 et seq.) affords consumers residing in California certain rights with respect to their personal information. If you reside in California and we represent you in a personal capacity (and not, for example, in connection with a company, partnership, sole proprietorship, non-profit or government agency), this section applies to you.

  • Categories of Personal Information Collected and Disclosure to Third-Party Recipients: In the preceding 12 months, we have collected the following categories of personal information: identifiers, characteristics of protected classifications under California or U.S. law, professional and employment-related information, education information, commercial information, internet and electronic network activity, inferences drawn about you, and other categories of personal information that relate to or are reasonably capable of being associated with you. For examples of the precise data points we collect, please see “Collection of Information” above. In the preceding 12 months, we have disclosed these categories of personal information to the categories of third parties described in the “Sharing of Information” section above.

  • Business or Commercial Purpose for Collecting and Using Data:We collect personal information for the business purposes described in the “Use of Information” section above.

  • Categories of Sources of Personal Information:We collect personal information from you and the sources described in the “Collection of Information” section above.

  • Sale of Personal Information (as defined by the CCPA):We do not sell your personal information.

Your Rights as a California Consumer

Subject to certain limitations, you have the right to (1) request to know more about the categories and pieces of personal information we collect, use, and disclose, (2) to request deletion of your personal information, (3) opt out of any “sales” of personal information that may be occurring, and (4) not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. You may make these requests by contacting us at info@startupventureadvisors.com. We will verify your request by asking you to provide information sufficient to confirm your identity, such as your name, email address, and information about your interactions with us. If you would like to use an authorized agent to exercise your rights, we may request evidence that you have provided such agent with power of attorney, or that the agent otherwise has valid signed authority to submit requests on your behalf, and ask that you verify your identity directly with us. If you are an authorized agent seeking to make a request, please write to info@startupventureadvisors.com.

Additional Information for Individuals in Europe

If you are located in the EEA, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have certain rights and protections under applicable laws regarding the processing of your personal data, and this section applies to you.

Legal Basis for Processing

When we process your personal data, we will do so in reliance on the following lawful bases:

  • To perform our responsibilities under our contract with you (e.g., processing payments for and providing the products and services you requested).

  • When we have a legitimate interest in processing your personal data to operate our business or protect our interests (e.g., to provide, maintain, and improve our products and services, conduct data analytics, and communicate with you).

  • To comply with our legal obligations (e.g., to maintain a record of your consents and track those who have opted out of marketing communications).

  • When we have your consent to do so (e.g., when you opt in to receive marketing communications from us). When consent is the legal basis for our processing your personal data, you may withdraw such consent at any time.

Data Retention

We store personal data for as long as necessary to carry out the purposes for which we originally collected it and for other legitimate business purposes, including to meet our legal, regulatory, or other compliance obligations.

Data Subject Requests

Subject to certain limitations, you have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about you and to receive your data in a portable format, the right to ask that your personal data be corrected or erased, and the right to object to, or request that we restrict, certain processing. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, you may contact us as indicated below.

Questions or Complaints

If you have a concern about our processing of personal data that we are not able to resolve, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Authority where you reside. Contact details for your Data Protection Authority can be found using the links below:

For individuals in the EEA: https://edpb.europa.eu/about-edpb/board/members_en

For individuals in the UK: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/

For individuals in Switzerland: https://www.edoeb.admin.ch/edoeb/en/home/the-fdpic/contact.html

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at info@startupventureadvisors.com.