Effective Date: January 1, 2026 Version: v2.0-2026-01-01 Controller/Business: The Underwood Group, LLC (“we,” “us,” “our”)

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and retain information when you use ugroupsite.com, Zoom scheduling/meetings, Lawvocate access links, and related services (the “Services”).

1. Information We Collect

• A) Information you provide: Name, email, phone, firm/company, role, preferences, general matter descriptions, and content submitted via Site forms.
• B) Billing: Subscription status, invoices, and payment confirmations. Payments are processed by Stripe/ACH; we do not store full card numbers.
• C) Technical and usage data: IP address, device/browser data, timestamps, pages viewed, and security logs.

2. How We Use Information

To operate and secure Services, provide support, respond to inquiries, schedule sessions, process payments, improve reliability, prevent abuse, comply with legal/ethical obligations, and send operational messages.

3. Sharing & Agency of Tools

We share information with service providers (hosting, scheduling, payment, and AI) solely to support the Services.

• AI as "Agent of Counsel": When you enter a Step 1 Engagement, our AI providers (e.g., Lawvocate Studio) act as "Agents of Counsel" under strict confidentiality agreements, as defined in our Terms of Use.
• No Sale of Data: We do not sell your personal information.

4. Pre-Engagement Confidentiality Warning

Pre-engagement communications (before a Step 1 agreement is signed) may not be privileged. Do not submit confidential or highly sensitive information unless and until we confirm representation and provide a secure channel.

5. AI Processing & Sub-Processors

• Public Tools: Inputs into public-facing tools (e.g., Lawvocate Guide) are not privileged.
• Private Workspace: Inputs into our authenticated "Collaborative AI Workspace" are processed by third-party AI providers (Sub-Processors). We configure these environments to prohibit model training on your data.
• Liability: While we vet vendors for security, we cannot guarantee against third-party platform failures or policy changes outside our direct control.

6. Third-Party Platform Chat History

If you use Lawvocate tools via your own personal accounts (e.g., your personal ChatGPT Plus or Claude Pro), that data is governed entirely by that platform's privacy policy, not ours.

7. COOKIES, ANALYTICS, AND TRACKING

We use cookies, pixels, and similar tracking technologies to analyze traffic, improve site performance, and target our marketing (e.g., retargeting users who visited Step 0 but didn't convert).

• A. Types of Cookies:
  
  • Essential: Required for the site to function (e.g., security, load balancing).
  • Analytics (Google Analytics 4): Helps us understand how visitors interact with our "Matrix" and "Guide" pages.
  • Marketing (Pixels): Used to deliver relevant ads to you on third-party platforms based on your interest in our services.
• B. Consent & Control:
  
  • Cookie Banner: When you first visit, you will be presented with a banner to Accept or Decline non-essential tracking.
  • Browser Settings: You can block cookies via your browser settings, though some site features (like the Secure Intake portal) may degrade.
  • Opt-Out: You may opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

8. DATA RETENTION & AI MINIMIZATION

We distinguish between "Session Data" (temporary AI interaction logs) and "Client File Data" (finalized legal artifacts).

• A. Session Data (30 Days): Raw AI chat logs and prompt histories in our Collaborative Workspace are retained only as long as necessary for the active session or as required by the vendor's abuse-monitoring window (typically 30 days), after which they are deleted or anonymized.
• B. Client File Data (7 Years): Finalized artifacts (Issue Maps, Timelines, Drafts) saved to your permanent matter file are retained for 7 years in accordance with Michigan professional responsibility rules.
• C. Your Right to Purge: Upon closing a Step 1 Engagement, you may request the immediate deletion of ephemeral Session Data, subject to our professional obligation to maintain a record of the advice given.

9. Security

We use reasonable safeguards (access controls, encryption in transit, logging). No system is perfectly secure.

10. Your Rights and Choices

You may request access, correction, or deletion of your personal data by contacting privacy@ugroupsite.com. This includes the right to request the purge of specific AI chat logs, subject to the retention policies in Section 8.

11. International Disclosures (GDPR/UK + Canada)

If you access from outside the U.S., your information may be processed in the U.S. We process personal data under lawful bases (contract necessity, legitimate interests). You have rights to access, delete, and object to processing.

12. ChildrenServices are not directed to children under 13 (or 16 where applicable).

13. UpdatesWe may update this Privacy Policy by posting a revised version and updating the Effective Date.

14. Contact

privacy@ugroupsite.com | support@ugroupsite.com Mailing Address: 101 Washington Ave., Ste 221B, Grand Haven, MI 49417