Property Rights Litigation – Protecting Your Interests in Eminent Domain, Tenant Relocation, and Real Estate Disputes

Joseph V. Sherman, P.C.

Privacy Policy

Our Privacy Policy at a Glance

At Joseph V. Sherman, P.C., we understand that privacy is paramount when you have entrusted a law firm to protect your rights regarding your property, eminent domain, tenant relocation, and other real estate issues. This Privacy Policy outlines in detail how personal information is collected, utilized, protected, and registered to comply with applicable law. Our unparalleled transparency and integrity ensure that you can trust your sensitive data will be handled honorably at every step of your relationship with us as your law firm of choice. Whether you are a homeowner or business owner, an investor, or a landowner seeking real estate counsel in Virginia, we hope you enjoy a sense of privacy and comfort that allows you to focus on the task at hand.

Who We Are

Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. is a law firm based in Virginia that specializes in property rights litigation, including eminent domain, tenant relocation, easement negotiations, and various real estate legal disputes. The firm is led by Joseph V. Sherman, an award-winning attorney recognized by Super Lawyers and Coastal Virginia, and is dedicated to advocating for private property rights throughout the Commonwealth. Our office is situated at 324 W. Freemason Street, Norfolk, VA 23510. We provide representation to clients statewide, offering aggressive, honest, and personalized legal services. This Privacy Policy applies to all interactions with Joseph V. Sherman, P.C., whether through the internet, by phone at (757) 350-8308, or in person.

Scope of this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes the way that Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. uses and protects the information it collects from clients, prospective clients, visitors to the website, and anyone else we come into contact with. It applies to all information collected by and through our website, during initial consultations, via telephone calls, in-person meetings, and through email correspondence. As a law firm, we are also bound by the rules of attorney-client confidentiality and must comply with the rules of legal ethics. These also provide you with additional protection beyond privacy law norms.

What Personal Data We Collect From You

Depending on your relationship with us, we collect the following categories of information:

  • Contact data: Name, address, phone number, email address, and preferred method of contact.
  • Demographic data: Age, occupation, property ownership status, and other information customized to your legal issue.
  • Case-related data: Specific property addresses, legal documents, financial records, copies of appraisals, and specific information about the property rights or legal issue you have.
  • Communications data: General notes and specific records from telephone conversations, email communications, consultation sessions, or meetings.
  • Website usage data: IP address, internet browser type, device identifiers, pages requested and referring pages, transaction time and date, and other requested action or location-based information.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 18. If we become aware that you have provided us personal information and you are under the age of 18, we will take steps to delete such information.

How We Gather Your Personal Data

We gather information about you through several methods, including:

  • Direct submission: Information you provide when you contact us for a complimentary consultation, submit an inquiry through our website, or retain us to provide legal services.
  • In-person contact: Information provided through face-to-face consultations or office appointments at our Norfolk law office.
  • Phone and email: Information provided over the phone or by email, including during an initial free consultation.
  • Document exchange: Legal documents, appraisals, and other related documents submitted as part of your case file.
  • Website analytics: We utilize automated technologies including cookies, web beacons, and server logs to obtain information regarding how visitors use our website and to improve its performance.

We do not purchase or otherwise obtain personal information from third parties for commercial or marketing purposes.

Why We Gather Your Personal Data

Our main reason for collecting your personal data is to deliver quality legal services, tailored legal advice, and effective representation in matters relating to property rights at law. We usually collect and process your personal data for the following purposes:

  • Assess your matter and determine how we can help you
  • Liaise with you about your matter or enquiry
  • Draft, lodge, and manage your legal paperwork and court filings
  • Comply with our ethical, legislative, and regulatory obligations (such as client due diligence, ID check/know your client (KYC) check, and conflict check)
  • Improve our website and client service delivery
  • Safeguard our systems and prevent fraud

We will not use your personal information to conduct untargeted or unsolicited marketing or sell your information to any other parties.

How We Use Your Data

Your personal information is used for business and legal purposes such as:

  • Providing you with legal services and advice in connection with property rights, eminent domain matters, tenant relocation, and real estate litigation
  • Managing your client relationship, including setting up meetings and keeping you informed about your matter
  • Conducting due diligence and legal research necessary to advise you on your matter
  • Processing invoices and other communications relating to the services provided to you
  • Complying with the requirements of relevant law, court orders, or as otherwise required by government agencies

We may also use de-identified or aggregated data for internal analysis and service improvements. Such data could in no way be used to identify a specific client.

How We Protect Your Data

Protecting your personal information is important to Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. We take a combination of technical, physical, and organizational measures to protect it from loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure. Our security measures include:

  • Secure file placement, both electronically and physically, limiting access to those who need to know
  • Encrypted emails of sensitive information
  • Password-protected computer files and document management software
  • Staff training about maintaining confidentiality and preventing loss of information
  • Shredding and secure disposal of physical files when no longer needed

While we try our best to protect all personal information we receive and use, no transmission or storage method is ever 100% secure. In the event we suffer a data breach, we will notify affected individuals immediately and take all reasonable action to minimize the harm.

Attorney-Client Privilege and Ethical Obligations

As a law firm, we must comply with confidentiality obligations that go well beyond general privacy protections. Communications and information you send to Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. concerning the solicitation of legal advice are privileged from disclosure as attorney-client communications, when all elements necessary to invoke the privilege are satisfied under applicable law. We therefore have a professional and ethical obligation to safeguard your sensitive information, subject to exceptions for situations like court orders or legal mandates. We are trained to take these obligations seriously and to never risk any erosion of your fundamental trust.

Your Information May Be Disclosed to

We don’t sell, trade, or rent your personal data to third parties. Your information is only disclosed in the following ways:

  • With your express consent or at your request
  • With courts, opposing counsel, relevant experts, or other parties as necessary, and only to the extent needed, to prosecute or defend your case
  • To comply with a legal process such as subpoenas, court orders, or requests from law enforcement or other governmental agencies
  • To a trusted service provider (e.g., secure file storage providers or IT support) subject to confidentiality and only to the extent necessary to provide the service
  • In the assignment, merger, or acquisition process when your data may be transferred as part of the business assets, but notice would be given beforehand

We exercise strict due diligence when vetting any third-party service providers we use in providing services.

Retention of Your Information

Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. holds your personal information only as long as necessary to achieve the purposes for which it was collected, comply with applicable law and ethical obligations, resolve disputes, and establish and enforce our agreements. Client files and case-related communications generally will be held for seven years after your matter closes, unless a longer retention period is mandated by law or regulation. After that period, data is appropriately destroyed or rendered unreadable to protect from unauthorized use.

Your Rights and Choices

You have certain rights to access, correct, and/or delete your personal information that Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. stores, subject to applicable legal and ethical limitations. Among other things, you can ask us to restrict or stop processing your personal data or to stop using it in certain circumstances. You can request these outcomes by contacting us at (757) 350-8308 or visiting us at our office during normal business hours. We will address your request in a reasonable time frame. Our activities will be consistent with applicable law and our obligations as attorneys to our clients. Certain information may be retained to the extent necessary for compliance with the law or to otherwise protect the interests of the business.

How to Request Access or Correction to Your Information

If you believe that any information about you is inaccurate or not current, or if you would like to see your file, please contact our office at (757) 350-8308 or at 324 W. Freemason Street, Norfolk, VA 23510. To preserve your privacy, we will verify your identity before allowing you to view or make changes to your information. Occasionally, but only where permitted by law, we may require that certain information be retained despite your request to delete it.

Online Privacy and Cookies

Our website (“Website”) may use cookies and related tracking technologies to improve your website experience, help analyze website traffic, and provide for security. Cookies are data files stored on your computer or other device. You can configure your browser settings to restrict cookies or block them entirely, although some website functionality may not be available if cookies are restricted or disabled. We do not use cookies to store sensitive personal information or for behavioral advertising purposes. For more information about our use of cookies and analytics tracking, or to opt out of non-strictly necessary cookies, please get in touch with our office. You may also wish to review our Cookie Policy for further details.

Third Parties with Links and Online Services

The websites of Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. may contain links to third-party websites or services, such as legal databases or government agencies, to help you find the information you need. These outside sites may have their own privacy policy differing from ours. In addition, Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. has no control over or responsibility for their policies or contents. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any site that you link through from our websites.

How We Secure and Protect Electronic and Paper Records

We take the protection of your information seriously. Electronically, your information is stored on encrypted servers that are regularly updated with the latest security patches, and only firm staff are allowed to access these records. Physically, documents are stored in locked filing cabinets within the secured premises of our offices. We regularly examine and update our policies and procedures to keep abreast of emerging threats and to ensure best practices in data protection are being followed. In remote access scenarios, staff follow firm procedures to ensure that client confidential information and data is not compromised.

Notification Procedures for Any Data Breach

In the event of a data breach involving your personal information, Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. will take immediate steps to contain and assess the incident and scope of any potential risk. We will provide notice to affected individuals as soon as is reasonably feasible, as appropriate under Virginia state law and relevant federal law. This notice will include details of the breach, the types of information involved, what steps we are taking to remedy the matter, and information regarding steps you can take to help protect yourself. We will also notify any relevant authorities of the breach as needed.

Children’s Privacy

We do not specifically market services toward minors. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information without authorization, please contact us directly at (757) 350-8308 so we can remove this data from our records.

International Clients and Data Transfer Abroad

Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. is based in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. If you are accessing this website from outside the United States and voluntarily provide information to us, please be aware that your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, where laws and regulations governing the handling of information may differ and be less stringent than those in your jurisdiction. By providing your information to us, you consent to such transfer and processing. We will use all reasonable means to safeguard and treat your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, legal obligations, or service offerings. When we do, we will update the “Effective Date” at the top of the privacy policy. We will also post notification on our website of any material change. We encourage you to review this privacy policy from time to time to be informed of how we are protecting your information. Your continued use of services after our posting of any changes constitutes acceptance of that changed privacy policy.

Your Consent

By engaging Joseph V. Sherman, P.C., providing your information through our website, or otherwise providing us with your personal information, you agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of data about you as reflected in this Privacy Policy. Such collection, use, and disclosure is a condition of us performing legal services for you and fulfilling our professional responsibilities.

Contact Us with Any Questions or Concerns

If you have questions, complaints, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or our data usage policies, please contact Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. at:

  • Address: 324 W. Freemason Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
  • Phone: (757) 350-8308
  • Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00AM-5:00PM

We will make every reasonable effort to respond to your privacy concerns appropriately and fully. You may also have the option of contacting the Virginia State Bar or another regulatory agency. For more ways to reach us, please visit our Contact Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. page.

Preserving Your Privacy: Our Top Priority

At Joseph V. Sherman, P.C., we value our clients’ trust, and your privacy is a vital component of that trust. For every client relationship we undertake, we make sure to keep your personal information secure, fulfill all professional obligations, and practice law with integrity at every level of the legal process. Whether we are consulting you on an eminent domain issue, a tenant relocation requirement, or another property rights dispute, we will do so without violating your privacy or misusing any of your information. Your trust in us is a privilege that we take seriously-and a responsibility we hold sacred. Thank you.

Effective Date and Review of This Policy

This Privacy Policy is applicable beginning June 1, 2024. We periodically review our privacy practices to ensure compliance with applicable law as well as with our general obligations of confidentiality to our clients. Any updates or changes to this policy will be posted on our website and made available in our offices. Clients and website visitors should periodically review this Privacy Policy.

Your Next Step: Call Us for a Free Consultation

If you have a property rights problem (or wish to inquire about how your personal information will be protected), call us today at Joseph V. Sherman, P.C. for a free phone consultation. We always offer honest, fair advice, and we stand up for your legal rights as well as your privacy. Call (757) 350-8308 or visit us at 324 W. Freemason Street, Norfolk, VA 23510, Monday – Friday, 9:00AM-5:00PM. Nothing is as important to your peace of mind as your property rights-but protecting your privacy comes in a close second.