Privacy Policy

This policy explains what information the Clearinghouse collects through this website, why we collect it, how it is stored and protected, who it may be shared with, how long we keep it, and how you can ask us to delete it.

What we collect

• From citizens using the intake form: your name, contact information (email, phone, city and state), preferred language and contact method, the status of your matter (a threat or a filed lawsuit), related dates, the court and case number if applicable, whether you already have a lawyer, and any description you provide. The form does not accept document uploads; please do not send us your complaint or summons.
• From lawyers using the sign-up form: your name, firm/organization, contact information, bar admissions and jurisdictions, federal districts, experience, capacity, and preferences.
• Automatically: limited technical information needed to operate the site securely (for example, information used to prevent spam and abuse). We do not use the site to advertise to you.

Why we collect it

We use citizen information solely to attempt to identify a volunteer lawyer who may be willing to consider representing you, and to communicate with you about that effort. We use lawyer information solely to evaluate and manage volunteer matches.

How it is stored and protected

• The site is served over an encrypted connection (HTTPS/TLS).
• Submitted information is stored in a secured, access-controlled database with encryption at rest.
• So that we can act on your submission promptly, a copy is also emailed to the authorized Clearinghouse staff who review submissions. That email account is access-controlled and the message is encrypted in transit and at rest, but it is a second copy of your information, and we think you should know it exists.
• Access is limited to authorized Clearinghouse staff and volunteers on a need-to-know basis.

Who it may be shared with

If a potential match is identified, we may share basic case information (such as your name, contact information, the court, and the case number) with a prospective volunteer lawyer so that the lawyer can check for conflicts of interest and decide whether to contact you. We do not sell your information. We may disclose information if required by law.

How long we keep it

The Clearinghouse plans to cease its operations as of January 20, 2029. It will not retain any records relating to those citizens who contacted the Clearinghouse or lawyers who volunteered with the Clearinghouse after that date. It will retain other records relating to its operations for whatever period is required by applicable law.

How to request deletion

You may ask us to delete the information you submitted. To do so, contact us at support@denatzprobono.com and include enough detail for us to locate your record. We will respond within a reasonable time. Note that if a lawyer has already begun representing you, records held by that lawyer are governed by the lawyer's own obligations, not by this policy.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy. Material changes will be reflected on this page.