Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

1. Informational Purposes Only

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for obtaining legal advice regarding your particular circumstances.

Because every legal matter is unique and the law changes over time, no representation or warranty is made that the information on this website is complete, accurate, or current.

2. No Attorney-Client Relationship

Visiting this website, communicating with the firm through this website, sending an email, sending a text, leaving a voicemail, or otherwise contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.

An attorney-client relationship is established only after the firm has determined that no conflict of interest exists and both the client and the firm have entered into a written engagement agreement.

The firm does not seek to represent anyone based solely upon that person's visit to this website or any general information provided on it.

3. Confidential Information

Please do not send confidential, privileged, proprietary, or time-sensitive information unless the firm has agreed to represent you.

Information transmitted before an attorney-client relationship has been established may not be protected by the attorney-client privilege or treated as confidential.

Submitting information through this website, including through a contact form, email, text, or voicemail, does not by itself create a prospective client relationship for purposes of conflict-of-interest screening. Please do not include the name or any identifying details of a party adverse to your interests in any unsolicited communication to the firm.

4. Attorney Advertising

This website may be considered attorney advertising under applicable laws or rules of professional conduct.

Nothing on this website is intended to guarantee, predict, or imply any particular result in any legal matter. Prior results, if described, do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Joseph Helmers is designated, to the extent that any jurisdiction requires designation, as the attorney responsible for this site and can be contacted at the firm address on the main page of this website. Joseph Helmers is licensed to practice law in California.

5. Website Content

The materials on this website are provided as a general resource. While reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate and current information, the firm makes no warranty or representation regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of the website or its contents.

The firm reserves the right to modify, update, or remove website content at any time without notice.

6. Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites for the convenience of visitors.

The firm does not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for the content, security, privacy practices, or availability of third-party websites.

7. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise indicated, the content of this website, including its text, graphics, logos, and other materials, is owned by the firm or used with permission and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

You may view, download, or print individual pages of this website for your personal, non-commercial use, provided that all copyright and proprietary notices remain intact. No other reproduction, distribution, or commercial use is permitted without the firm's prior written consent.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the firm disclaims all liability for any loss or damage arising out of or relating to the use of, or reliance upon, this website or its contents. Use of this website is at your own risk.

9. Information We Collect & Cookies

This website does not require visitors to register, create an account, or provide personal information in order to browse its content.

Like most websites, the firm and its web hosting, analytics, and technology providers may automatically collect certain technical information when you visit — directly or through cookies, server logs, analytics tools, or similar technologies — including:

• IP address;
• browser type and version;
• operating system and device information;
• referring website;
• pages visited and links clicked;
• date and time of access; and
• similar technical, usage, or diagnostic information.

This information is used for website administration, security, maintenance, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and improving the website and the services offered by the firm.

Most web browsers permit users to manage or disable cookies through their browser settings, though doing so may affect site functionality. This website's response to “Do Not Track” signals may vary depending on the technologies in use; for more information, visit allaboutdnt.com.

10. Information You Voluntarily Provide

If you contact the firm by email, telephone, or any other manner, you may voluntarily provide personal information, including your name, contact information, and the contents of your communication.

The firm may use this information to respond to your inquiry, determine whether the firm is able to assist you, perform conflict checks, comply with applicable legal or ethical obligations, and otherwise operate the practice.

Providing information to the firm does not obligate the firm to represent you.

If you would like to review, correct, or request the deletion of personal information you have voluntarily provided to the firm through this website, you may contact us using the information in Section 19. We will respond to such requests as appropriate under the circumstances.

11. Disclosure of Information

The firm does not sell personal information collected through this website. This website does not knowingly use analytics or similar tools for cross-context behavioral advertising or targeted advertising purposes. If the firm's use of such tools changes, this policy will be updated accordingly.

Information may be disclosed:

• to website hosting providers, analytics providers, or other technology service providers that assist in operating or maintaining the website;
• when required by law, court order, or other legal process;
• to protect the rights, property, or safety of the firm or others;
• in connection with a sale, merger, transfer of practice assets, or succession of the firm, subject to the firm's obligations under the California Rules of Professional Conduct regarding client files and confidentiality; or
• with the consent of the individual providing the information.

12. Information Security

The firm employs reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information maintained in connection with this website. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and the firm cannot guarantee the absolute security of information transmitted over the Internet.

13. Children's Privacy

This website is not directed to individuals under the age of sixteen (16), and the firm does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of sixteen (16) through this website. If you believe a minor has provided personal information to the firm through this website, please contact us using the information in Section 19 so that we may address it.

14. Data Retention

The firm retains information collected through this website for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy — including responding to inquiries, performing conflict checks, and complying with recordkeeping, ethical, and legal obligations under the California Rules of Professional Conduct and other applicable law.

15. Electronic Communications Consent

By providing an email address to the firm or otherwise communicating with the firm electronically, you consent to receive communications from the firm electronically, including engagement-related correspondence, invoices, and notices, to the extent permitted by applicable law. You may withdraw this consent at any time by contacting the firm using the information in Section 19.

16. Accessibility

The firm is committed to providing a website that is accessible to all visitors, including individuals with disabilities, and strives to make this website accessible to visitors using screen readers or other assistive technology. The firm welcomes feedback on the accessibility of this website. If you experience difficulty accessing any portion of this website, please contact the firm using the information in Section 19 so that we can assist you and address the issue.

17. Changes to These Terms

The firm may revise these Terms of Use and Privacy Policy from time to time. Any revised version will become effective when posted on this website with an updated “Last updated” date. Continued use of the website after any revisions are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

18. Governing Law and Venue

These Terms of Use and Privacy Policy shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this website or these Terms of Use and Privacy Policy shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in San Mateo County, California, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

19. Contact

Questions regarding these Terms of Use and Privacy Policy may be directed to the firm at:

20. Severability and Entire Agreement

If any provision of these Terms of Use and Privacy Policy is held to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. These Terms of Use and Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and the firm regarding your use of this website and supersede any prior agreements or understandings on that subject.