Privacy Policy

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Next Chapter Law Office (“Next Chapter,” "NCLO," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting personal information entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy describes how NCLO collects, uses, discloses, maintains, and protects information obtained through our website, electronic communications, online forms, payment services, and other interactions with NCLO. This Privacy Policy applies primarily to information collected through NCLO's website and business operations. It does not replace or limit NCLO's separate professional obligations concerning attorney-client confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, work product, or other duties imposed by applicable law and the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct.

1. Attorney-Client Confidentiality

NCLO is a law firm and has professional obligations to protect information relating to the representation of its clients. Information acquired during a professional relationship with a client may be subject to duties of confidentiality and, where applicable, attorney-client privilege or work-product protection. NCLO will handle such information in accordance with applicable law and the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct. The existence of a Privacy Policy does not create an attorney-client relationship. These restrictions and obligations of Privacy, related to information regarding legal matters, may not apply to information that is otherwise publicly available from or through non-confidential sources.

2. No Attorney-Client Relationship Through Website Communications

Submitting information through NCLO's website, sending an email, completing an online form, or otherwise communicating with NCLO does not, by itself, establish an attorney-client relationship. Individuals should not submit highly sensitive or time-critical information through a website form or other unsecured communication channel unless specifically instructed to do so by NCLO. An attorney-client relationship is established only through an appropriate agreement or other circumstances recognized under applicable law.

3. Information We May Collect

Depending upon how you interact with NCLO, we may collect information including but not limited to:

• Name, mailing address, email address, telephone number, and other contact information;

• Information provided when requesting a consultation or contacting the firm;

• Information provided in connection with a potential or existing legal matter;

• Information necessary to conduct conflict checks;

• Information contained in communications with the firm;

• Billing, payment, and transaction information;

• Information contained in documents or other materials submitted to the firm;

• Website usage information, including IP address, browser type, device information, and pages viewed;

• Information collected through cookies and similar technologies; and

• Other information you voluntarily provide to NCLO.

The information NCLO collects will depend upon the nature of your interaction with the firm.

4. Information Provided by Prospective Clients

NCLO may receive personal information from individuals who contact the firm regarding potential legal representation. Because information provided by a prospective client may create professional obligations even when NCLO does not ultimately represent that person, NCLO may collect and retain information necessary to evaluate the inquiry, conduct conflict checks, determine whether the firm can provide legal services, and comply with applicable professional obligations. NCLO may use information provided by prospective clients to determine whether the firm can accept a matter. Providing information to NCLO does not guarantee that NCLO will undertake representation.

5. How We Use Information

NCLO may use information for legitimate business and professional purposes, including but not limited to:

• Responding to inquiries;

• Conducting conflict checks;

• Evaluating prospective representations;

• Providing legal services;

• Communicating with clients and prospective clients;

• Managing legal matters;

• Preparing and maintaining legal documents and records;

• Scheduling appointments;

• Billing and collecting fees;

• Processing payments;

• Maintaining accounting records;

• Complying with legal, regulatory, court, and professional obligations;

• Protecting the security and integrity of our systems;

• Preventing fraud, unauthorized access, or misuse;

• Managing vendors and technology services;

• Improving firm operations; and

• Other purposes reasonably necessary to operate the law firm and provide legal services.

NCLO does not sell client information for advertising purposes.

6. Technology and Service Providers

NCLO uses third-party technology providers to operate the firm and provide legal services.

These services may include but are not limited to:

• Clio Manage for legal practice management, matter management, document management, calendaring, billing, and related functions;

• Clio Grow for prospective-client intake and client relationship management;

• Clio Payments for payment processing;

• QuickBooks Online for accounting and financial management;

• Email and related communication services for firm communications;

• WealthCounsel for estate-planning resources and related legal practice functions;

• LexisNexis for legal research and related legal information services;

• LEAP for legal practice management and related legal technology functions; and

• Other technology, security, communications, cloud-storage, document, payment, research, or administrative providers used by NCLO from time to time.

NCLO may provide information to these service providers to the extent reasonably necessary for them to perform services on NCLO's behalf. NCLO seeks to use technology providers that provide appropriate security and privacy protections for the nature of the information being processed.

7. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Tools

In compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct governed by the North Carolina State Bar, NCLO will maintain appropriate human oversight over AI-assisted legal work and will use AI technologies consistent with applicable professional obligations. NCLO and its employees may use artificial intelligence ("AI") and machine-learning functionality incorporated into or provided through the technology platforms used by the firm to assist with functions such as:

• Legal research;

• Document organization;

• Information retrieval;

• Drafting or summarization;

• Matter management;

• Intake and administrative workflows;

• Billing and administrative functions; and

• Other law-firm operational activities.

NCLO may use AI functionality incorporated into Clio, LexisNexis, LEAP, WealthCounsel, or other authorized systems used by the firm. NCLO will evaluate the use of AI in light of its professional obligations, including obligations relating to competence, confidentiality, supervision, accuracy, and protection of client information. AI-generated or AI-assisted content is subject to appropriate human review. NCLO does not rely exclusively on AI-generated output when performing professional legal services. NCLO will not knowingly submit client information to unauthorized public or consumer AI systems in a manner inconsistent with the firm's professional obligations or applicable law. Where a technology provider processes information through AI functionality, NCLO relies on the provider's

applicable contractual, security, privacy, and data-processing terms. NCLO may modify, enable, disable, or replace AI functionality as technology and professional requirements evolve.

8. Payment Information

NCLO may use third-party payment services, including Clio Payments, to process payments. Payment information may be collected and processed by the applicable payment service provider. NCLO generally does not need to receive or maintain complete payment-card information in its own systems when the payment is processed through a third-party payment processor. Payment information may be used to process authorized transactions, maintain accounting records, address payment disputes, and comply with legal and financial obligations.

9. Accounting and Financial Information

NCLO uses QuickBooks Online and related financial systems to maintain accounting records and manage the firm's finances. Financial information may include invoices, payment records, transaction information, client billing information, and other information necessary to maintain accurate financial records. Client trust-account information is maintained and handled in accordance with applicable law, professional rules, and NCLO's trust-account procedures in compliance with the “Lawyer’s Trust Account Handbook” of the North Carolina State Bar, and any revisions or updates that the North Carolina State Bar may publish.

10. Information Sharing and Disclosure

NCLO may disclose information when reasonably necessary to:

• Provide legal services;

• Carry out a client's instructions;

• Operate the firm;

• Use authorized service providers;

• Process payments;

• Maintain accounting records;

• Conduct conflict checks;

• Comply with applicable law, regulation, court order, or subpoena;

• Respond to lawful requests from government authorities;

• Protect the rights, property, security, or safety of NCLO, its clients, personnel, or others;

• Establish, exercise, or defend legal claims;

• Address suspected fraud or unlawful activity; or

• Otherwise act as permitted or required by applicable law and professional obligations.

NCLO will seek to limit disclosures of client information to what is reasonably necessary for the applicable purpose. Nothing in this Privacy Policy authorizes NCLO to disclose

information that it is otherwise prohibited from disclosing under applicable law or professional obligations.

11. Electronic Communications

NCLO may communicate with clients, prospective clients, and other persons through email, text messaging, electronic portals, and other electronic means. Electronic communications may involve inherent risks, including interception, mis-delivery, unauthorized access, or compromise. NCLO will use reasonable precautions appropriate to the circumstances to protect information transmitted electronically. Clients who require additional security measures may discuss available communication options with NCLO.

12. Cookies and Website Technologies

NCLO's website may use cookies, analytics tools, and similar technologies to operate the website, understand website usage, improve functionality, maintain security, and evaluate website performance. These technologies may collect information such as, but not limited to:

• IP address;

• Browser type;

• Device type;

• Operating system;

• Pages viewed;

• Referring website;

• Approximate geographic information; and

• Website interaction information.

NCLO may use third-party websites or analytics providers for these purposes. NCLO does not use cookies or similar technologies for purposes inconsistent with this Privacy Policy.

13. Third-Party Websites

NCLO's website may contain links to websites operated by third parties, including courts, governmental agencies, legal resources, professional organizations, payment services, or other organizations. NCLO does not control third-party websites and is not responsible for their privacy practices, security, content, or policies. Users should review the privacy policies applicable to third-party websites before submitting information to them.

14. Information Security

NCLO maintains reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information against unauthorized access, acquisition, alteration, disclosure, destruction, or misuse. Security measures are not limited to but may include:

• Access controls;

• Authentication measures;

• Password and credential safeguards;

• Encryption where appropriate;

• Secure cloud-based technology platforms;

• Device and account security measures;

• Vendor security controls;

• Employee and contractor access restrictions;

• Data backup and recovery procedures; and

• Incident-response procedures.

No electronic system or method of transmitting information can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

15. Security Incidents and Data Breaches

If NCLO discovers a security incident involving personal information, NCLO will investigate the incident and take reasonable steps to contain, remediate, and prevent further unauthorized access. Where required by applicable law, NCLO will provide notice to affected individuals and governmental authorities. North Carolina law establishes specific requirements concerning notification following certain security breaches involving personal information. NCLO will comply with applicable breach-notification requirements.

16. Data Retention

NCLO retains information for periods reasonably necessary to:

• Provide legal services;

• Maintain client and matter records;

• Comply with professional obligations;

• Comply with legal, tax, accounting, and regulatory requirements;

• Resolve disputes;

• Establish or defend legal claims;

• Maintain appropriate business records; and

• Protect the firm's legitimate interests.

Client and matter records may be retained in accordance with NCLO's records-retention policies and applicable professional obligations. Different categories of information may be retained for different periods.

17. Access to Personal Information

Individuals may contact NCLO regarding personal information maintained by the firm. NCLO will evaluate requests in light of applicable law, professional obligations, attorney-client privilege, confidentiality requirements, work-product protection, litigation holds, records-retention requirements, and other applicable restrictions. NCLO is not required to disclose information when disclosure would violate a legal or professional obligation.

18. Children's Privacy

NCLO's website is not directed toward children under the age of 13. NCLO does not knowingly solicit personal information from children through its website. If NCLO becomes aware that a child has submitted personal information through the website without appropriate authorization, NCLO will take reasonable steps to address the information consistent with applicable law.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

NCLO may modify this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in its operations, technology, legal requirements, or professional obligations. The current version will be posted on the NCLO website with its effective date.

20. Contact NCLO

Questions concerning this Privacy Policy or NCLO's privacy practices may be directed to:

Next Chapter Law Office jeremycrawford@nextchapterlawoffice.com.

21. Important Notice

This Privacy Policy is intended to describe NCLO's general privacy practices. It is not a contract between NCLO and any person and does not create an attorney-client relationship. The obligations applicable to a particular client, prospective client, matter, communication, or category of information may be governed by applicable law, the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, an engagement agreement, court order, or other applicable authority.

Privacy Policy — Version 1.0, revised & approved by managing attorney 8/26/2026.