Privacy Policy

Updated August 2018

This online privacy policy applies to all Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (principal office at One Logan Square, Ste. 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996) and its affiliates’ (collectively, “Drinker Biddle”, “we”, “us”, “our”) websites and online resources that link to our websites. Drinker Biddle is aware of our users’ concerns about their privacy when visiting our site and online resources.

Drinker Biddle is the data controller of Personal Information collected through our websites. Personal Data is defined below in the ‘What Data Do We Collect and How Do We Use It?’ section.

This policy explains what Personal Information (as defined below) we collect about users, how we collect that Personal Information, for what purpose(s) we use the Personal Information, to whom we disclose the Personal Information, and how users can limit the uses we make of Personal Information. Please read this entire policy before using or submitting Personal Information to us through this website or any online resource that links to our website as any Personal Information you submit to Drinker Biddle through a website or online resource that links to our website will be collected, processed, used, and disclosed in accordance with this policy.

DISCLAIMER:

Using this website, including receiving requested information from Drinker Biddle or subscribing to one of our mailing lists, does not, in and of itself, create an attorney-client relationship between Drinker Biddle and you. Drinker Biddle may discontinue mailings at any time.

Links to websites and online resources that are not operated by or on behalf of Drinker Biddle are provided solely as a convenience to you. If you use these third-party links, you will leave our website and this policy will no longer apply. If you access any third-party websites linked or referred to on our websites, you do so at your own risk and we recommend that you read their privacy policies (if any) before you provide your personal data to them. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of any third-party websites.

1. What Data Do We Collect and How Do We Collect It?

We collect your Personal Information, which is information that either directly identifies you or could reasonably be used in combination with other publicly available information to identify you, through our website and publicly accessible online resources (including social media sites such as LinkedIn) in a number of ways. First, we can collect your Personal Information when you submit it to us. For example, you may subscribe to a Drinker Biddle mailing list or newsletter, create an account in our Alumni Network, register for an event or apply for a job. Examples of Personal Information that you may choose to provide to us, and that we may collect from other online resources, include your name, email address, address, phone number, job title, geographic location, photo, education and employment information, cover letter, resume, transcript, writing sample and any other information that you choose to provide to us when filling out a contact form, job application or otherwise communicating with us on or through our website.

We also collect other basic information about you through online identifiers. For example, we may collect the Internet Protocol Address assigned to your computer by your internet service provider. This address may change each time you connect to the internet (a “dynamic” IP address), or it may remain the same (a “static” IP address).

To collect basic information, we use the cookies and the other techniques described in our Cookie Policy:

Cookies. This website may use a tracking technology called a “cookie.” A cookie is a small data file that a website can place on your computer’s hard drive, where your internet browser files are kept. Cookies enable us to recognize when a computer being used to browse our website has previously visited a Drinker Biddle website or online resource. Cookies can also be used to enable a site to “remember” the information a visitor has previously inputted. Cookies may be placed on your computer both by us and by third parties with whom we have a relationship, such as web analytics services and advertising network services. Further information concerning the use of third-party cookies on our site can be found in Our Cookie Policy.

We may also combine the Personal Information collected through our website with other information we have about you, provided that we have a lawful basis for doing so. For example, we may combine information about your subscription to one of our mailing lists or your registration for one of our events with our offline records. We use this consolidated information to improve our website and online resources, enhance our marketing activities, better design our offerings, and facilitate other business functions.  

 2. How Do We Use the Personal Information We Collect?

We use the information we collect from you to accomplish activities that are consistent with respect for your privacy rights, including:

  • To Communicate With You. We use your Personal Information for our legitimate business interests to send you requested information, respond to your inquiry, notify you about changes to our services, deliver information tailored to your interests and preferences, and take other actions that may be necessary to respond to your request. If you choose not to provide Personal Information requested by us, we may not be able to provide you with the information and/or services you have requested. Where required, we ask for your consent to process your Personal Information in relation to certain marketing communications, including when you register for an event or sign up to our mailing list through our website. You can always opt-out of these marketing communications at any time, either by contacting us or by exercising the opt-out function in the communication.
  • To Take Actions You Request or To Perform a Contract For You. This includes providing you with requested information or services and taking other actions necessary to respond to or fulfill your request, like investigating complaints, verifying your relationship with us, and considering your candidacy for employment or other processing activities necessary to perform a contract to which you are party.
  • To Comply with Our Legal and Regulatory Obligations or to Exercise Our Rights. We use information when we believe the law requires it and in any situation that involves threats to any person’s rights, property, or safety. We also use information when we have a reason to believe it is necessary to identify, contact, or bring a legal action against someone who may be causing injury to or interference with our rights and property or those of any other person.
  • To Manage Our Firm, Websites, and Online Resources. We also use your Personal Information for our legitimate business interests, including to:
    • improve and administer our website and online resources;
    • customize our website to improve your experience;
    • facilitate other business functions;
    • ensure network security; and
    • to carry out internal record keeping, statistical analysis, reporting and research.

If you are in the EU:

  • You can object to processing based on our legitimate business interests as set out in the ‘Your Rights in the EU’ section below. You can also object to direct marketing at any time.
  • We consider that, on balance, the legitimate business interests relied on are not outweighed by the rights and freedoms of individuals. If you would like more information on the balancing test carried out please contact us on the details below.

3. How Long will we Keep Your Personal Information?

We retain your Personal Information for the length of time required for the specific purpose or purposes for which it was collected and we will securely delete that information once we no longer need it. In some cases, we may be obliged to store your Personal Information for a longer time, taking into account factors including: 

  • legal obligation(s) under applicable law to retain data for a certain period of time;
  • statute of limitations under applicable law(s);
  • (potential) disputes; and
  • guidelines issued by relevant data protection authorities.

4. Does Drinker Biddle Disclose Your Personal Information to Third Parties?

Drinker Biddle operates through itself and its affiliates and may share your Personal Information with such entities for the purposes described above, and in accordance with this policy. Drinker Biddle will remain responsible for your information in such cases.

Drinker Biddle may also disclose your Personal Information to third parties who provide us with various business services, including our IT service providers (e.g. for monitoring and maintaining the website), our communications services providers (e.g. for preparing newsletters and mailings), our accountants, auditors, lawyers and other professional advisors. These service providers will not be permitted to use your Personal Information for their own purposes, including marketing.

We may also share Personal Information with other third parties to provide you with services or information. This might include publications produced by third parties or events that are presented or sponsored by third parties. In those cases, these third parties may be permitted to use your Personal Information for their own marketing purposes. This will be made clear to you before you sign up for the publication or event.

We also disclose information to third parties as necessary to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and codes of professional conduct. We also disclose information to comply with our legal obligations or to protect the vital interests of individuals. This may include disclosures to law enforcement, government officials, professional regulatory organizations, our clients, and other similar third parties.

If all or part of Drinker Biddle is merged into another entity, the Personal Information we have about you may be transferred to a third party as part of that transaction. We will try to assure that no Personal Information that is transferred will be used or shared in a manner inconsistent with this policy without your consent. Your Personal Information may also be included among the assets affected by financing agreements undertaken by Drinker Biddle.

5. Will Drinker Biddle Transfer Your Personal Information Internationally?

Drinker Biddle’s website and online resources are owned and operated in the United States, but the information you provide may be accessible by our affiliates and vendors in other countries, including the UK. If you are visiting this site from a country other than the United States, your information will cross an international boundary. The level of protection for your information in the United States may not be the same as the level of protection in your country.

Any transfers of Personal Information from within the European Economic Area (“EEA”) to countries outside of the EEA (including the United States) will be based on a method or circumstances which have been approved by the European Commission as providing adequate protection. If you are in the EEA, you can request further detail about the safeguards that we have in place in respect of transfers of Personal Information outside of the EEA. Where applicable, you have the right to request a copy of the standard contractual clauses that provide adequate protection for such transfers.

6. Is this Website Intended for Children?

Drinker Biddle’s website and online resources are not intended for children. We do not knowingly collect any Personal Information from children under 13 years old through this website or our online resources. However, if the parent or the guardian of a child under 13 years old believes that the child has provided us with Personal Information, the parent or guardian of that child should contact us at One Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Attn. Senior Communications Manager (or by email at: website@dbr.com) to request the information’s deletion. Anyone under 18 years old should seek his or her parent’s or guardian’s permission prior to using or disclosing any Personal Information to Drinker Biddle.

7. How Can You Control and Update Your Information with Drinker Biddle?

Drinker Biddle wants to keep only accurate information about you. To update or correct your contact information, please email us at website@dbr.com.  At any time, you may also email us at website@dbr.com to ask that we remove your name, contact information, and email address from the lists we use to contact you and send our mailings. We may retain a copy of your Personal Information, however, for our record-keeping purposes.

8. How Does Drinker Biddle Keep Your Information Secure?

Drinker Biddle takes reasonable steps to protect your information from unauthorized access. However, no internet transmission is ever completely secure or error free. In particular, email sent using this website or another online resource may not be secure. You should take special care before deciding to send us information via email. If you create an account on Drinker Biddle’s site, it is your responsibility to protect your access credentials from unauthorized access or use.

9. How Can You Contact Us About this Policy?

Questions about this policy may be directed to our Senior Communications Manager, or you can call us at (215) 988-2700. You can also write to us at:

Senior Communications Manager website@dbr.com

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square, Ste. 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

Alternatively, if you are in the EU you can contact us at:

Regional Partner in Charge website@dbr.com
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
50 Mark Lane, 5th Floor
London EC3R 7QR

Your California Privacy Rights: California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits California residents to request certain information regarding our disclosure of Personal Information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, please write to the address provided above. Be sure to include your name and address. If you would like a response via email, please include an email address. Otherwise, we will respond by postal mail within the time required by law.

Your Rights in the EU:

The General Data Protection Regulation is an EU regulation that provides individuals with certain rights in relation to their personal data which is either processed by an organization established in the EU, or, for individuals located in the EU, processed by an organization outside of the EU that offers goods/services to or monitors such individuals in the EU.

If this applies to you, you will have the following rights (subject to certain conditions) when it comes to your Personal Information:

  • The right to object to processing. You have the right to object to certain types of processing, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time insofar as that processing takes place for the purposes of legitimate interests pursued by us or by a third party.
  • The right to be informed. You have the right to be provided with clear, transparent and easily understandable information about how we use your Personal Information and your rights, which is why we are providing you with this information in this Privacy Policy.
  • The right of access. You have the right to obtain access to Personal Information we process about you. You can do this by contacting us on the details provided below.
  • The right to rectification. You are entitled to have your information corrected if it is inaccurate or incomplete. You can request that we rectify any errors in Personal Information that we hold by contacting us on the details provided below.
  • The right to erasure. This enables you to request the deletion or removal of your Personal Information in certain circumstances, such as where there’s no compelling reason for us to keep using it or its use is unlawful. This is not a general right to erasure and there are a number of exceptions, e.g. where we need to use your Personal Information in defence of a legal claim.
  • The right to restrict processing. You have rights to suspend further use of your Personal Information, whereby we can still store your Personal Information but cannot use it further.
  • The right to data portability. You have rights in some circumstances to obtain and reuse your Personal Information for your own purposes across different services.
  • The right to withdraw consent. If you have given your consent to anything we do with your Personal Information, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time (although if you do so, it does not mean that anything we have done with your Personal Information with your consent up to that point is unlawful).
  • The right to lodge a complaint. You have the right to lodge a complaint about the way we process your Personal Information with a data protection regulator where you live, work, or where you believe your rights have been violated. In the UK, you may contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) using the following details:

Address: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF

Telephone number: 0303 123 1113

Website: www.ico.org.uk

10. What Else Do You Need to Know?

Drinker Biddle may make minor changes to this Privacy Policy. When we make these changes, we will publish the updated policy on our website. If we make any significant changes, we will take additional steps to inform you of these.