Introducing Our Cookie Policy
At H.W. Achala Law, we pride ourselves on maintaining the highest levels of transparency and trust across all elements of our legal resource website. We believe that part of this transparency includes informing our visitors about the ways in which we utilize cookies and similar technologies across our website. As such, our Cookie Policy outlines what cookies are, how and why we might use them, and how you may control your cookie preferences. Accordingly, it is important for us to ensure that you have the fullest possible awareness of your privacy rights when you visit and make use of our informative legal articles, resources, and updates.
All About Cookies
Cookies are small files that are saved on your computer, mobile device, tablet, or other Internet-capable devices when you visit a website. Cookies store information that allows websites to recall your personal preferences, login credentials, Internet history, and other information related to your use of the site. Cookies improve your overall experience on the Internet because they enable websites to remember what kind of information you enjoy and provide you with a more convenient and personalized experience. There are various forms of cookies including session cookies (which are not stored after your browser is closed) and persistent cookies (which remain stored on your computer for a specific amount of time or until deleted by your Internet browser).
Why Do We Use Cookies
At H.W. Achala Law, we make use of cookies for a variety of reasons, all aimed at providing quality content and a smooth website user experience. We use cookies to:
- improve website performance and functionalities
- remember user preferences (such as language, or whether a user wishes to receive our newsletter)
- analyze site usage and traffic to improve our content and user navigation experience
- facilitate user subscription or registration processes for the newsletter
- improve the security of the website and protect user data from theft or misuse
Our purpose in using cookies is aligned with our goal of making reliable, relevant, and updated information available to everyone.
Cookies We Use
To be transparent, we categorize the cookies used on hwachaelaw.com as follows:
- Necessary Cookies: These are required for the website to operate properly, such as allowing you to view the site securely, browse areas without signing in, and utilize core functions like newsletter registration.
- Performance Cookies: Cookies that collect data from visitors about how they use our website (e.g., most visited pages, how long you spend on the site). This data is aggregated and anonymized so that we can make improvements to content or the site structure.
- Functionality Cookies: Cookies that remember your preferences on a site and your settings (such as language choice or dismissing of pop-up messages) to provide you with a convenient and tailored visiting experience.
- Analytics Cookies: We use third-party tools, like Google Analytics, that place cookies to help us better understand how our visitors interact with our content. This allows us to analyze the effectiveness of our content and plan future improvements.
- Third Party Cookies: Some of our pages may feature content or functionality from a different website or service provider (e.g., embedded videos from YouTube or sharing utilities from social networks). These third parties may place their own separate cookies which are subject to their own privacy policies.
Improving Your Experience with Cookies
A key component of our efforts to provide a comfortable and safe space for the wide range of our users, from those in need of legal information to students and other professionals, is the deployment of cookies on hwachaelaw.com. When you return to the site, they help to recall your preferences, such as the font size or the area of the world from which you want access to country-specific legal resources. Cookies also facilitate newsletter subscriptions, the tracking of what articles have been read, and the recommendation of content that matches user preferences. Cookies are also an essential element in our ongoing efforts to detect and help prevent malicious or dishonest use of our website.
Cookies Used by:
- Google Analytics
- Geotagging System (geolocation)
- Listrak (IPIS & RapidSite)
- Kampyle (FeedBack Form)
- Survey Gizmo (Survey Wizard)
Using Cookies with Your Controls
You can manage the cookies you use on your device. Most web browsers offer the ability to control cookie settings so you have the option to block all cookies, erase cookies already stored, or set your preferences for certain websites. Depending on which browser you use, you can do one or more of the following:
- Accept or refuse all cookies
- Erase existing cookies
- Set preferences for certain websites
- Request to be notified when a cookie is placed on your hard drive
Please note that limiting or blocking some types of cookies may affect your ability to use hwachaelaw.com, as some functionality and content may no longer be available. Please see your browser’s help instructions or other online resources to find step-by-step instructions for controlling cookies.
Your Privacy and Cookies
Protecting your privacy is a core value at Achala & Associates Law. The Firm does not use cookies to collect personally identifiable information unless you submit it voluntarily, such as by subscribing to our newsletter or submitting forms on the website. All data collected through these cookies is done in strict compliance with this Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy. We do not sell, rent, or trade your data to third parties for commercial purposes. Any third-party cookies used are subject to the privacy policies of those third-party providers, which we personally review to ensure they are in line with our goals of protecting your data privacy.
Third Party Cookies, Pixels & Embedded Content
Our website has embedded content (like videos or social media feeds) and links to third party sites. These third parties use their own cookies to track your activity in either the embedded content or on their sites. We have carefully vetted these partners but do not control these partners’ cookies. We recommend that you check the cookie or policy notices of any third party sites you are directed to through links or embedded content on hwachaelaw.com.
These third party cookies include but aren’t limited to:
- YouTube (embedded educational videos)
- Google Analytics (site metrics tracking)
- Social media sharing buttons
What’s the Legal Basis for Processing Data using Cookies
For international business, the use of cookies is influenced by US statutes (California Consumer Privacy Act or CCPA), as well as the international GDPR legislation for visitors from the European Economic Area. H.W. Achala Law uses cookies in accordance with such standards, relying on legitimate interests for website functionality and user experience. We obtain your consent where necessary for non-essential cookies and offer clear ways for you to manage your preferences. We review our practices regularly to keep everything current.
How Long do Cookies Last and Where do They Live?
Cookies have different lifespans based on their purpose. Session cookies are deleted when you close your web browser, while persistent cookies stay on your device for a set period (or until you delete them). At H.W. Achala Law, we apply appropriate lifespans to our cookies in order to balance site functionality and privacy. Cookies that store information such as whether or not you subscribe to our newsletter may have a lifespan of several months, while our analytics cookies have a lifespan of approximately two years. You can always review and remove cookie information that has been stored on your computer through your web browser’s cookie management settings.
How to Change Your Mind or Turn Off Cookies
If you have previously consented to our use of non-essential cookies, you may withdraw your consent at any time by changing your browser settings to refuse or delete cookies, or by using any cookie preference tool we provide on our website or otherwise. You may opt out of analytics-based tracking by browser add-ons such as the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. For further information or details on how to withdraw consent for cookies generally, email [email protected] or leave a message at (510) 480-1997.
Children’s Privacy and Cookies
This is our updated Privacy Policy. H.W. Achala Law does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13, in accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The H.W. Achala Law website and content are targeted to adults and legal professionals. If we believe a child has supplied us with information via cookies or otherwise, please notify us by email at [email protected] and we will take reasonable action to delete such information from our files.
Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may change, adapt, or update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect legal, technological, or business changes. Such changes will be made to this page and any modified effective date will be included. We encourage all visitors to this website to check this policy periodically for changes to how we use cookies. Your continued use of hwachaelaw.com following the posting of changes to this cookie policy will signify your acceptance of the changed terms.
Contact Us For More Information
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, your privacy rights, or this Cookie Policy, please do not hesitate to contact us. H.W. Achala Law would like to make sure we have offered you complete and relevant information surrounding your data and privacy, and would be pleased to address any concerns you might have and guide you to ways you can opt-out of our use of cookie data.
You can contact us at:
Address: 1300 Clay St Ste 29, Oakland CA 94612
Phone: (510) 480-1997
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://hwachaelaw.com/
Keep Reading and Refreshing
At H.W. Achala Law, we prioritize the empowerment of our readers through actionable legal knowledge and a transparent understanding of their digital rights. Please subscribe to our newsletter, free of charge, for the most up-to-date legal articles, trends, and updates, sent directly to your inbox. We take your privacy and trust seriously, conducting all online correspondence and communication in a safe and secure manner. For more information, correspondence, or to update or change preferences, please visit our website or reach out via email. Our team at H.W. Achala Law looks forward to providing you with all your legal needs moving forward.