SMS Privacy Policy

1. Overview

The Law Office of Keith Phillips (referred to in this policy as "our firm," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. We offer text (SMS and MMS) messaging as a convenient way to communicate with clients and prospective clients about family law matters. This SMS Privacy Policy describes the terms that apply, and explains how we collect and use information when you opt in to receive text messages from our firm.

Participation in text messaging with our firm is optional. You are never required to consent to receive text messages as a condition of hiring our firm or receiving legal services. You may reach us by telephone at (936) 298-8000 or by email at info@keithphillipslaw.com at any time.

2. Your Consent to Receive Text Messages

By providing your mobile telephone number and opting in, you authorize our firm to send you text messages related to your inquiry or legal matter using an automated or manual system. Standard message and data rates may apply (see Section 5). You may withdraw your consent at any time by following the opt-out instructions in Section 6.

You represent that you are the account holder or authorized user of the mobile number you provide, and that you will notify us if that number changes or is reassigned.

3. Types of Messages We Send

If you opt in, you may receive the following types of text messages from our firm:

• Conversational messages — two-way communication with our office in response to the questions or requests you send us by text
• Case updates — status updates and time-sensitive notifications about your matter
• Appointment reminders — reminders and confirmations for consultations, meetings, or hearings
• Document request notifications — requests for documents or information needed to move your matter forward
• Administrative notices — such as changes to an appointment or office availability

We do not send marketing or promotional text messages to phone numbers unless you have separately and expressly consented to receive them.

4. Message Frequency

Message frequency varies based on your matter and how you interact with our firm. Because most texts are sent in direct response to your communications or the needs of your case, there is no fixed number of messages per week or month. Conversational messaging may result in several messages in a short period; at other times you may receive no messages for extended periods.

5. Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply. Any charges are billed by, and payable to, your mobile service provider under your wireless plan. Our firm does not charge a fee to send or receive text messages, but we are not responsible for any charges imposed by your carrier. Contact your wireless provider for details about your messaging and data plan.

6. How to Opt Out — Reply STOP

Opting out of text messaging does not opt you out of other communications from our firm. We can still reach you — and you can still reach us — by phone at (936) 298-8000, by email at info@keithphillipslaw.com, or by mail. Opting out will not affect your legal representation.

7. How to Get Help — Reply HELP

For help or more information about our text messaging program, reply HELP to any message you receive from us, or contact our office directly at (936) 298-8000 or info@keithphillipslaw.com. Replying HELP will return contact information for our firm.

8. Carrier Liability

Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Delivery of text messages is subject to effective transmission by your wireless carrier and is not guaranteed. Because text messages may be delayed or may fail to deliver, you should never rely on a text message for urgent or emergency matters, filing deadlines, or court dates. For anything time-sensitive, call our office directly.

9. Information We Collect

When you opt in to receive SMS messages, we may collect:

• Your mobile phone number
• Your consent to receive SMS messages
• Your name and basic contact information
• Information you provide about your legal matter

10. How We Collect Your Information

We collect this information directly from you — such as when you complete our contact form, sign an engagement agreement, speak with us by phone, or otherwise communicate with our office. We may also collect limited information automatically when you interact with our website.

11. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Send you the SMS messages you have opted in to receive
• Communicate with you about your legal matter and our services
• Operate, maintain, and improve our firm's services
• Comply with our legal and professional obligations

You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any message we send you (see Section 6).

12. To Whom We Disclose Your Information

We may disclose your information to trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our text messaging and firm services (such as our telephone and messaging provider, which are contractually required to protect your information); as required by law, subpoena, or administrative order; and to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims. We limit these disclosures to what is necessary to provide our services and meet our obligations.

Our full data practices are described in our Privacy Policy.

13. Protection of Your Information

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical steps to protect your information against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. While no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, we work to safeguard the mobile and personal information you share with us.

14. Confidentiality and a Word of Caution

Text messages are a convenient but less secure channel than a phone call or a signed, encrypted document exchange. Standard text messages are not encrypted end-to-end and may be stored on your device and your carrier's systems. Please use discretion about the information you send by text.

Sending a text message to our firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship, and information sent before we have agreed in writing to represent you may not be protected by attorney-client privilege. Do not send confidential, privileged, or highly sensitive information by text until an attorney-client relationship has been established. Once we represent you, communications are subject to the attorney's duty of confidentiality under Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 1.05.

15. Messaging Terms and Conditions

The following summarizes the terms and conditions that apply to the Law Office of Keith Phillips text messaging program:

1. The messaging program consists of general conversational messaging to answer questions and provide support to customers.
2. You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text ‘STOP’ to the phone number from which you received messages. After you send the SMS message ‘STOP’ to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending SMS messages to you again.
3. If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program you can reply with the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly at info@keithphillipslaw.com.
4. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
5. As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. Message frequency will vary based on communication needs. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.
6. If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our Privacy Policy.

Data Sharing

• Customer data is not shared with third parties for promotional or marketing purposes.
• Mobile opt-in and consent are never shared with anyone for any purpose. Any information sharing that may be mentioned elsewhere in this policy excludes mobile opt-in data.

16. Changes to This SMS Privacy Policy

We may update this SMS Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, messaging providers, or applicable law. When we update the policy, we will revise the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued participation in our text messaging program after the Effective Date of any update constitutes your acknowledgment of the changes.

17. Contact Us

If you have questions about this SMS Privacy Policy or our text messaging practices, please contact us. You can also reach us by texting the word HELP for support to the number from which you received messages.

This SMS Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law principles. It supplements, and should be read together with, our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.