Privacy Policy

Washington Council of Lawyers
Effective Date: March 26, 2026
Last Updated: March 26, 2026

1. Introduction

The Washington Council of Lawyers (“WCL,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is the public interest bar association for the District of Columbia. We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal information of our members, volunteers, donors, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at https://wclawyers.org (the “Site”) or interact with us in connection with our programs and services.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Site. By accessing or using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

  • Register for membership or renew a membership;
  • Register for or attend an event, program, or training;
  • Make a donation or financial contribution;
  • Submit a volunteer or pro bono interest form;
  • Subscribe to our newsletter or mailing list;
  • Contact us via email, telephone, or a web form;
  • Apply for a fellowship, grant, or award administered by WCL; or
  • Otherwise communicate with us.

The types of personal information we may collect include, but are not limited to: your full name, email address, mailing address, telephone number, bar membership and licensure information, employer or law school affiliation, payment information (processed through a secure third-party payment processor), and any other information you choose to provide.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Site, certain information may be collected automatically by our web hosting services and analytics tools, including:

  • IP address and general geographic location;
  • Browser type and version;
  • Operating system;
  • Pages visited and time spent on pages;
  • Referring URL (the page that directed you to our Site); and
  • Date and time of your visit.

This information is collected in aggregate and is primarily used to understand how visitors interact with our Site and to improve its functionality and content.

2.3 Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our Site may use cookies and similar tracking technologies (such as web beacons and pixel tags) to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and deliver relevant content. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by your browser.

You may configure your browser to refuse all cookies or to notify you when a cookie is being sent. Please note that some features of our Site may not function properly if cookies are disabled. We do not sell or share cookie data with third parties for advertising purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • Membership and Program Administration: To process membership applications and renewals, manage event registrations, administer programs, and provide you with services you have requested.
  • Communications: To send you newsletters, announcements, event invitations, and other information about WCL’s mission, activities, and opportunities that may be of interest to you.
  • Fundraising and Development: To process donations, issue acknowledgment letters, and communicate with donors about WCL’s fundraising initiatives.
  • Pro Bono and Volunteer Coordination: To match volunteers with pro bono opportunities and to coordinate public interest legal services.
  • Site Improvement: To monitor and analyze usage and trends, troubleshoot technical issues, and improve the functionality and content of our Site.
  • Legal and Compliance: To comply with applicable law, enforce our terms and policies, and protect the rights, property, or safety of WCL, our members, and the public.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our Site, administering our programs, or conducting our activities. These providers include, for example, payment processors, email delivery services, event registration platforms, and website hosting providers. These parties are contractually obligated to use your information only as directed by WCL and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

4.2 Member Directory and Listings

If you are a WCL member, certain information (such as your name and professional affiliation) may be included in a member directory or listing that is accessible to other WCL members, unless you opt out of such inclusion. You may request removal from any directory by contacting us as described in Section 9.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or governmental authority, or if we reasonably believe that disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of WCL, our users, or the public.

4.4 Organizational Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or dissolution of WCL, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in accordance with applicable law.

5. Legal Basis for Processing (Residents of the European Economic Area)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), our legal basis for collecting and using your personal information depends on the information concerned and the context in which we collect it. We generally process your information based on: (a) the performance of a contract with you or in order to take steps at your request before entering into a contract; (b) our legitimate interests, where these are not overridden by your rights; (c) your consent, where applicable; or (d) compliance with a legal obligation.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When determining how long to retain information, we consider the nature and sensitivity of the information, the purposes for which it was collected, and any applicable legal obligations. When personal information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to securely delete or anonymize it.

7. Security

We implement reasonable and appropriate administrative, technical, and physical security measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. Our website uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure data transmitted between your browser and our servers. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure, please contact us immediately.

8. Your Rights and Choices

8.1 Opt-Out of Communications

You may opt out of receiving marketing or promotional communications from us at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any WCL email, or by contacting us directly. Please note that even after opting out, you may continue to receive transactional or administrative communications related to your membership or services you have requested.

8.2 Access, Correction, and Deletion

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information we hold about you;
  • Request correction or update of inaccurate or incomplete personal information;
  • Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions;
  • Object to or restrict our processing of your personal information; and
  • Request portability of your personal information in a structured, machine-readable format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us as described in Section 9. We will respond to all verifiable requests within the timeframe required by applicable law.

8.3 California Residents

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including the right to know what personal information is collected, used, or disclosed about you, the right to delete personal information, the right to correct inaccurate personal information, and the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. WCL does not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. To submit a California privacy rights request, please contact us using the information in Section 9.

8.4 District of Columbia Residents

We comply with all applicable privacy laws of the District of Columbia. If you have questions about your rights as a D.C. resident, please contact us as described in Section 9.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Washington Council of Lawyers
Website: https://wclawyers.org
Email: info@wclawyers.org

We will make every reasonable effort to address your inquiry promptly and in accordance with applicable law.

10. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not operated by WCL. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party sites, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our Site and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us using the information in Section 9.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. If we make material changes, we will post the updated policy on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date and, where appropriate, notify you by email or through a prominent notice on our Site. Your continued use of the Site after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

This Privacy Policy was last updated on March 26, 2026.

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