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Terms
of Use
The
materials on the SCCS Website are for general informational
purposes only. We provide this information to inform you about legal issues
of interest and to describe the services our Firm provides for
its clients. The
information provided is not intended to be, nor should it be
relied on as, legal advice. There is no guarantee that the information presented on the
website reflects the most recent developments in the law or that
the information presented is complete in all respects.
Individuals reviewing the SCCS website should not rely on
information presented herein without first seeking the advice of
qualified legal counsel.
The use of this website, or sending or receiving information through the
website, does not create an attorney-client relationship with
SCCS. Do not send
confidential information to our Firm through this website or via
email. If
you choose to communicate with us via email, such communication
does not create an attorney-client relationship and cannot be
treated as privileged or confidential.
Find new york apartments for European tourist. A
representative of SCCS will attempt to respond to general email
requests for Firm information within two (2) business days.
If you do not receive a return email within two (2)
business days, please contact our office to speak with a SCCS
attorney.
The
SCCS website provides links to various legal and
healthcare-related resources located on the Internet.
SCCS is neither affiliated nor associated with these web
pages or their sponsors and makes no representations or
warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any information
provided therein.
The
principal office for SCCS is located in Denver, Colorado.
The attorney responsible for the contents of this website
is Wallis S. Stromberg.
Client File Retention Policy
The following Client File Retention Policy (“Retention Policy”) of Stromberg Cleveland Crawford & Schmidt, P.C. is applicable to records, attorney work product and other materials in your client files. This Retention Policy informs you of the firm’s policy and procedures regarding the retention and destruction of client files and records. This Retention Policy attempts to balance the firm’s and its clients’ interests with respect to the maintenance, storage, recovery, destruction, disposal and confidentiality of client files and records. The firm implements this Retention Policy to balance the costs associated with the retention and destruction of client files and their contents, and clients’ property and confidentiality interests. This Policy applies to all active client files and all presently inactive or closed client files or files placed in inactive or closed status. The firm requires its attorneys, staff, and all independent contractors working on client matters to follow this Retention Policy.
Confidentiality and Release of Information
Unless waived by the client or by operation of law, all materials contained within client files maintained by the firm shall be considered to be confidential in nature, and this confidentiality shall be maintained by all those associated with the firm. Unless a client provides written or implied permission to release all or part of the client’s file and such release is authorized by an attorney in the firm, no materials or information contained in the file shall be released to any person, including another attorney. Also, inactive or closed files may be relocated to secure offsite storage facilities. In certain circumstances, a firm attorney may release information contained in a file upon verbal permission from the client to do so, or when confidentiality is waived or does not apply by operation of law.
Location of Files
All active client files will be maintained in the firm’s main office. Closed and inactive files will be kept offsite in designated storage until their destruction as set forth below or returned to the client. Files may be removed from the Firm’s office by attorneys as required for evening and weekend work, library research, court appearances, depositions, conferences, negotiations, or for other work to be performed at another location. With prior approval by an attorney, staff members may remove files from the office for evening or weekend work, depositions, or court matters. Any person removing a file is responsible for its security, safekeeping, confidentiality, return and maintenance of the file.
Client Property
The attorney responsible for a respective client shall review files being converted to closed or inactive status and review and segregate materials belonging to the client. The reviewing attorney will approve the closing of the file and return any original documents belonging to the client at the last address in the file with a letter identifying the materials. Documents belonging to the client may include, but are not limited to: recorded deeds; accountants’ audit reports; tax returns; year end financial statements and depreciation schedules; accounting journals; bills of sale; minute books, bylaws, and articles of incorporation; capital stock and bond records dealing with capital structure; insurance policies and records; property records and property appraisals; copyright and trademark registrations; patents and all related documents; contracts and leases; payor billing and cost reports, governmental filings, licenses, certificates, [any originally signed documents] and actuarial reports.
Attorney Work Product
Many documents in client files represent or contain the work product of the attorneys in the firm and, as such, remain the property of the firm. Work product may include, but is not limited to, non-final and final drafts of legal memoranda, briefs, pleadings, agreements, or other documents; attorney notes recording nonpublic information regarding a client or adversary; copies of published opinions and other available published material; duplicate documents; deposition transcripts, abstracts or outlines; scratch or legal pads; and any material that is considered the property of the Firm or its attorneys. The firm, at its discretion and without consultation with the client, may properly retain and/or destroy attorney work product. Attorney work product shall not be considered part of the client property even if physically located within the client file.
Retention and Destruction
The time frame for destruction or disposition of client files will be determined by the attorney in charge of such file. Prior to the disposal or destruction of file material, a shareholder of the Firm or the attorney principally responsible for the client matter will review the file and give final approval for the disposal or destruction of file material. The firm reserves the right to destroy a client file upon completion of all work associated with the file, and 30 days or more after the notice below had been given to the client. However, the Firm generally holds closed or inactive client files for a period of seven (7) years following the conclusion of the matter, except in cases where the law imposes a duty to preserve records for a longer period of time.
Notice to Client
When a file is placed in closed or inactive status, notice will be sent by the firm to the client at the last known address in the file. This notice will advise the client that the client may, within 30 days from date of notice and at no charge, obtain any papers not previously provided to the client from the file. The firm may, at its option, exclude any attorney work product from copies provided. After the 30 day period, the file may be destroyed by the firm or otherwise disposed in a manner that preserves the confidential and secret nature of the firm’s representation of the client, without further notice to the client. A copy of the notice, containing the date sent and the signature of the person so sending, shall be maintained by the firm. If the firm has not yet destroyed the file and, after the expiration of the 30 day period, the client makes a written request to review the file or to obtain from the file papers not previously provided to the client, the client may review the file and may obtain copies from the file at the firm’s then current copying charge. If substantial copying expenses will be incurred, the firm may require that a client deposit with the firm an amount determined by the firm to approximate the estimated copying charges. The firm cannot guarantee continued storage, however, upon the expiration of the 30 day period.
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