For law firms operating in the U.S., having compliant privacy policies and terms of service isn’t just a best practice—it’s a legal and ethical necessity.
With the growing patchwork of state-level privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Virginia’s CDPA, legal professionals must take a proactive approach to data protection. Ensuring your firm’s website complies with these evolving standards not only protects your clients’ sensitive information but also reinforces your commitment to ethical practice and professional responsibility.
At On Point Legal Tech, we prioritize compliance for both our own site and those of our legal clients. We know it may not be the most exciting topic, but properly worded and regularly updated website policies are essential to protecting your firm from potential fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage. We've implemented auto-updating, legally vetted policies on our own site—and we’re bringing the same level of protection to the legal professionals we serve.
Many attorneys are surprised to learn that the responsibility for compliance lies squarely with the website owner, not the developer. Unfortunately, many law firm websites either lack these policies entirely or rely on generic templates that don’t reflect the firm’s jurisdiction, practice areas, or data handling practices. Depending on your firm’s operations, you may need a Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Disclaimer or Cookie Policy.
One of the final steps in compliance is implementing a cookie consent mechanism, which gives visitors control over how their personal data is collected and used. This not only aligns with global privacy standards but also builds trust with your clients.
The benefits of these updates are clear:
- Safeguarding client and visitor privacy
- Reducing legal risk and exposure
- Enhancing your firm’s credibility and professionalism
We've added a few policies in the footer of each page. Scroll down and give them a test drive! If you're unsure whether your firm’s website is compliant, we’re here to help. Send us a message, and we’ll walk you through the process. You'll be glad you did!
by Matt King, Partner at On Point Legal Tech