Privacy policy and sms terms of service
Jerrold E. Bartholomew, Esq. —bartholomewlawfirm.com and mypriorityplan.comLast Updated: Nov 11, 2026
1. Who We Are
This Privacy Policy explains how the law practice of Jerrold E. Bartholomew, Esq. ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information. Our practice operates two websites under different names for branding purposes:• https://bartholomewlawfirm.com• https://mypriorityplan.com (operated as Priority Elder Law & Estate Planning)
Both websites belong to the same law practice. This single Privacy Policy applies to both websites, to text (SMS) messages we exchange with you, and to information you give us by phone, email, mail, or in person when you contact us. Our SMS Terms of Service appear in Section 13 below.
2. Important Notice About Attorney-Client Relationships and Confidential Information
Contacting us through either website, by text message, or by email does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship is formed only when we have agreed to represent you, typically through a written engagement agreement.
Until we have agreed to represent you, please do not send confidential, sensitive, or time-sensitive information through our website contact forms or by text message. Text messages and standard email are not encrypted and may be viewed by others with access to your device.
Information you share with us as a client, or as a prospective client seeking legal advice, is also protected by our professional duties of confidentiality under the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct. Nothing in this Privacy Policy limits those duties.
3. Information We Collect
Information you give us. When you fill out a contact form, call, text, email, or meet with us, we may collect:• Your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number (including mobile number)• The content of your messages and information about your legal matter or questions• Information needed to check for conflicts of interest, such as the names of other people involved in your matter • Your consent to receive text messages, including the date, time, and method by which you gave it• Billing and payment information, if you become a client
Information collected automatically. When you visit our websites, our web host's servers may automatically record technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, the date and time of your visit, and the website that referred you. We may use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our websites. This tool uses cookies to collect information such as pages visited and general location. We do not sell your data.
Information from other sources. In the course of representing clients, we may receive information from referral sources, public records, courts, other parties, and their counsel.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information to:• Respond to your questions and requests• Check for conflicts of interest before accepting a matter• Provide legal services and communicate with you about your matter• Schedule appointments and send appointment reminders• Send text messages you have agreed to receive (see Section 13)• Bill for services and process payments• Operate, maintain, and secure our websites• Comply with our legal, ethical, and professional obligations
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your personal information to show you targeted advertising.
5. Cookies
Cookies are small files stored by your browser. Our websites use few or no cookies beyond those needed for the sites to function [and, if applicable, analytics cookies as described in Section 3]. You can set your browser to block or delete cookies the websites should still work if you do. Because we do not track visitors across other websites or use targeted advertising, our websites do not change their behavior in response to "Do Not Track" browser signals.
6. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share personal information only in these limited circumstances:• Service providers that help us run our practice — for example, our website host, email and phone service providers, practice management and billing software, and payment processors. These providers may use the information only to perform services for us and are required to keep it confidential.• In the course of your legal matter, with your authorization or as needed to represent you — for example, with courts, government agencies, opposing parties or their counsel, and experts.• When required by law, such as in response to a subpoena or court order, or when permitted or required under the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct.• In a sale or transfer of the law practice, as permitted by the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, with any required notice to clients.
SMS consent is not shared with third parties. No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All of the categories above exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent this information will not be shared with any third parties.
7. Text Messaging (SMS) Privacy
If you agree to receive text messages from us, we collect your mobile phone number, the content of the messages we exchange, and a record of your consent. We use this information only to communicate with you about your inquiry or legal matter. Your SMS consent and mobile phone number are not shared with third parties or affiliates, and are never sold or used for third-party marketing. You can stop receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP.
8. How Long We Keep Your Information
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy. Inquiries that do not become client matters are kept as long as needed to respond and to document conflict checks. Client files are kept according to our file retention practices and our professional and legal obligations. Records of SMS consent and opt-out requests are kept as long as needed to show that we honored your choices.
9. How We Protect Your Information
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. No website, email, or text message transmission is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. If a security breach affecting your personal information occurs, we will notify you as required by Michigan law and any other applicable law.
10. Your Choices and Rights
You may contact us at any time to:• Ask what personal information we hold about you• Ask us to correct inaccurate information• Ask us to delete your information, subject to information we must keep for legal, ethical, administrative, or security reasons (for example, client files and conflict-check records)• Stop receiving text messages (reply STOP) or emails (reply asking to be removed)
Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under your state's privacy laws. We will respond to requests as required by applicable law. We will not treat you differently for exercising your privacy rights.
11. Children's Privacy
Our websites are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our websites. If you believe a child has given us personal information through our websites, please contact us and we will delete it. Information about minors that we receive in the course of representing a client is protected as part of that client's confidential file.
12. Links and Embedded Content From Other Websites
Our websites may link to or embed content from other websites (for example, videos, maps, or articles). Embedded content behaves the same as if you visited the other website directly, and those websites may collect data about you, use cookies, and track your interaction with that content. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites please review their privacy policies.
13. SMS Terms of Service
Program description. By opting into SMS from a web form or other digital medium, or by verbal consent, you are agreeing to receive SMS messages from Jerrold Bartholomew Esq. This includes SMS messages for conversations (external) with our office about your inquiry or legal matter.
Types of messages. You may receive:
• Replies to questions or requests you send us• Appointment scheduling, confirmations, and reminders• Updates about your legal matter, including requests for documents or information• Billing and payment reminders
We do not send marketing or promotional text messages.
How you opt in. You may agree to receive text messages by checking the SMS consent box on a contact form on our websites, by telling us verbally or in writing, or by texting us first. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of hiring us or receiving any services.
Key terms:
• Message frequency varies.• Message and data rates may apply.• To opt out at any time, text STOP. You may also reply STOP to any message we send. You will receive one final message confirming that you have been unsubscribed. To start receiving messages again, text START.• For assistance, text HELP or call us at 810-721-7300.• Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.• Please do not send confidential or time-sensitive information by text message (see Section 2).
Privacy. SMS consent is not shared with third parties. Visit https://bartholomewlawfirm.com/privacy-policy for our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service (this page). Message HELP for help. Reply STOP to any message to opt out.
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the updated version on both websites and change the "Last Updated" date above. If we make material changes to how we use or share your information, we will provide notice as required by law.
15. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our SMS program, or want to make a privacy request, please contact:
Jerrold E. Bartholomew, Esq.PO Box 216 Marlette, MI 48453Phone: 810-721-7300Email: info @mypriorityplan.com
