About Us
WHAT WE DO
The Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) is a global community of experts focused on redefining the business of law. By helping legal operations professionals collaborate with each other and with other industry players, including law firms, technology providers, and law schools, CLOC works to help set industry standards and practices for the profession.
CLOC CORES
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CLOC Mission
CLOC is a global community focused on redefining the business of law. We are a member-based organization of legal operations professionals and others dedicated to improving the delivery of legal services. Through information sharing, collaboration, and innovation, we seek to make the legal value chain more inclusive, transparent, and responsive.
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CLOC Pillars
Educate
Optimize the Business of Law
Change the Industry
Connect the Ecosystem
Network -
Thought Leadership
Collaborating to help define industry standards across a variety of operational and legal practice areas through surveys, metrics, reporting, and forums for Members and Law Firm Participants to exchange ideas and best practices for success. CLOC brings the legal ecosystem together to address industry challenges and create change.
CLOC LEADERSHIP
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Jennifer McCarron
President of CLOC
Director of Legal Operations and Technology, Netflix -
Farrah Pepper
Vice President, CLOC
Chief Legal Innovation Counsel, Marsh McLennan -
Adam Becker
Director, Legal Operations, Cockroach Labs
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Laura Dieudonné
Legal Operations and Administration Director, Delta Air Lines
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Mike Haven
Senior Director, Associate General Counsel, Head of Legal Operations, Intel
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Aine Lyons
SVP & Deputy General Counsel, Global Legal Services S.T.A.R. Operations and Privacy , VMware
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Frances Pomposo
Treasurer, CLOC
VP of LGA Strategy & Operations and Chief of Staff to the General Counsel, Splunk -
Daniel Yi
Senior Counsel for Special Projects and Innovation, U. S. Department of Justice
STAFF
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Lisa Konie
Interim Executive Director
California -
Jen Bryan
Head of Community
Colorado -
Ashleigh Spurgeon
Member Experience Manager
California -
Chris Apple
Community Manager
Arkansas -
Nicole Zafian
Head of Content & Education
Indiana -
Lauren Magee
Content & Education Manager
Kentucky -
Elanda Williams
Content Manager
Missouri -
Nicole Cote
Head of Events & Sponsorships
North Carolina -
Ilona Aigro
Director of Sales
California -
Kristyn Rickman
Event Operations Manager
Texas -
David Dupaix
Head of Finance
Utah -
Brandon Gonzalez
Assistant Financial Controller
Utah -
Angela den Tex
Head of Marketing & Communications
New York -
Dana Frank
Digital Marketing Manager
Indiana -
Boyd Richards
Head of Technology
Utah -
Tamirra Brown
IT Operations Support Specialist
Maryland
POLICIES
Privacy Policy
Your privacy is a priority for the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, Inc. (“CLOC”). In order to maintain efficient service while respecting your privacy and protecting any personal information you share with us, CLOC has adopted and adheres to the following Privacy Policy (the “privacy policy”). This privacy policy is incorporated into and an integral part of the Website Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement.
This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (https://cloc.org/), CLOC Community Connect and our mobile application, including any other media form, media channel, mobile website, or mobile application related or connected thereto (collectively, the “Website”). Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the Website.
We reserve the right to make changes to this privacy policy at any time and for any reason. We will alert you about any changes by updating the “Last Updated” date of this privacy policy. Any changes or modifications will be effective immediately upon posting the updated privacy policy on the Website, and you waive the right to receive specific notice of each such change or modification.
You are encouraged to periodically review this privacy policy to stay informed of updates. You will be deemed to have been made aware of, will be subject to, and will be deemed to have accepted the changes in any revised privacy policy by your continued use of the Website after the date such revised privacy policy is posted.
Specifically, this privacy policy covers the following topics:
- Information Collection
- Information Use
- Information Sharing and Disclosure
- Tracking Technologies
- External Links
- Access to and Control of Information
- Data Security
- Data Retention
- Data Transfer
- Children’s Information
- California Privacy Rights
- Privacy Policy Updates
- Acceptance of Privacy Policy Terms
- Contact Information
Information Collection
This privacy policy applies to information that CLOC collects (i) on the Website, (ii) through other platforms (and providers) used in connection with the conferences, meetings, webinars, resources, templates, publications, events and other services and products that we provide (collectively, “services and products”), and (iii) by telephone, email, text message, letter, or other methods of communication. When you use our services or products (including, without limitation, by using a template, attending a conference or webinar, etc.), we collect (i) information provided voluntarily and (ii) information collected automatically. Please note that you may decline to share your personal information with us, in which case we may not be able to provide you with certain services or products.
We may collect information about you in a variety of ways. The information we may collect on the Website includes the information described below.
- Visitor or Member Information: We will collect personally identifiable information that you provide to us, including, but not limited to, your name, employer’s name, job title, mailing address(es), e-mail address(es), telephone number(s), fax number, and demographic information, such as your age, gender, hometown, etc. that you voluntarily give to us to join CLOC, set up your membership account on the Website or when you choose to participate in various activities related to the Website such as CLOC Community Connect, our mobile application, including our online chats and message boards. Such information is necessary to facilitate your access to, use of, purchase of, or participation in our service and product offerings, including, but not limited to: membership; events, webinars, meetings, and conferences; educational programs; and online forums. You are under no obligation to provide us with personal information of any kind, however your refusal to do so may prevent you from using certain features of the Website and our mobile application.
- Payment Information: If you choose to purchase a product or service, we and/or our third-party vendors and payment processors will collect your payment information, including, but not limited to, your credit or debit card number, card verification value (CVV) number, and expiration date. We store only very limited, if any, financial information that we collect. Otherwise, all financial information is stored by our payment processor(s), Stripe and Payflow by PayPal. and you are encouraged to review their privacy policy and contact them directly for responses to your questions.
- Enrollment, Registration, and Order Forms: In order to enroll in or register for a CLOC program, to attend a CLOC program, event, meeting, webinar, or conference, or to request or order a CLOC product or service, you may be required to fill out a registration or order form (either online or in writing) and provide personally identifiable information, which we will use to process your registration or order. In certain circumstances, a program, event, meeting, webinar, or conference accessed through the Website (or online) may be jointly sponsored or co-sponsored with another organization(s), and enrollment or registration may or may not be handled by CLOC. In the event enrollment or registration is not handled by CLOC this privacy policy will not apply – instead, such third party’s privacy policy will apply and be controlling. Please note that CLOC is not responsible for the privacy policies of such other organizations or their collection, use, sharing, or other processing of your personal or other information, and CLOC hereby disclaims any liability or responsibility in connection therewith. In addition, we may share attendee lists with other attendees as well as our sponsors and exhibitors.
- Automated Information: Information our servers automatically collect when you access the Website includes information such as your IP address, your browser type, your operating system, your access times, and the pages you have viewed directly before and after accessing the Website. If you are using our mobile application, this information may also include your device name and type, your operating system, your phone number, your country, your likes and replies to a post, and other interactions with the application and other users via server log files, as well as any other information you choose to provide.
- Cookies: Cookies are pieces of stored information on a user’s computer or device that are used to provide smoother navigation throughout the Website, such as to store a saved password; to identify user trends, such as page views; and for other internal purposes, such as to assess the effectiveness of the Website. You will be asked to consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this privacy policy when you visit the Website. You have the option of setting your computer to disable cookies or to alert you when cookies are being used. If you choose to disable cookies, please be aware that portions of the Website may not function properly.
- Log Files: Log files store information such as a user’s IP address, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks. Like most websites, the CLOC Website uses log files to analyze trends, administer the Website, and track users’ movement on the Website.
- Facebook Permissions: The Website and our mobile application may by default access your Facebook basic account information, including your name, email, gender, birthday, current city, and profile picture URL, as well as other information that you choose to make public. We may also request access to other permissions related to your account, such as friends, checkins, and likes, and you may choose to grant or deny us access to each individual permission. For more information regarding Facebook permissions, refer to the Facebook Permissions Reference page.
- Data From Social Networks: User information from social networking sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Twitter, including your name, your social network username, location, gender, birth date, email address, profile picture, and public data for contacts, if you connect your account to such social networks. If you are using our mobile application, this information may also include the contact information of anyone you invite to use and/or join our mobile application.
- Mobile Device Data: Device information, such as your mobile device ID, model, and manufacturer, and information about the location of your device, if you access the Website from a mobile device.
- Third-Party Data: Information from third parties, such as personal information or network friends, if you connect your account to the third party and grant the Website permission to access this information.
- Data From Contests, Giveaways, and Surveys: Personal and other information you may provide when entering contests or giveaways and/or responding to surveys.
- Mobile Application Information: If you connect using our mobile application:
Information Use
CLOC uses the information that we collect to provide our services and products and to operate our business. We may use and store such information for legitimate and lawful business purposes, for example, in order to:
- create and manage your membership account;
- provide a service or product you requested;
- secure your membership status;
- fulfill and manage your membership benefits and purchases, orders, payments and other transactions;
- analyze, evaluate, and improve member and prospective member needs, interests and trends, and improve the member and prospective member experience;
- notify you (via email, telephone, mail and other means) of CLOC official business, news, activities, programs, events, meetings, conferences, services, products, benefits and offer new products, services and recommendations to you;
- contact you (via email, telephone, mail and other means) regarding your member account, registrations or orders of our products and services;
- send you newsletters and other communications;
- deliver targeted advertising, coupons, newsletters, and other information regarding promotions and the Website and our mobile application to you;
- increase the efficiency and operation of the Website and our mobile application;
- track event, meeting, and conference attendance;
- prepare member, attendee, sponsor and other lists and share or license such lists with third parties including, without limitation, other members, attendees, sponsors and exhibitors;
- prepare invoices and process payments;
- compile anonymous statistical data and analysis for use internally or with third parties;
- respond to communications and inquiries that you send to us;
- respond to a notice of alleged copyright infringement;
- promote the function, safety and security of our services;
- perform other business and association activities as needed;
- assist law enforcement and respond to subpoena; and
- for other legitimate and lawful business purposes.
For individuals located in the European Economic Area, we rely on multiple legal bases to collect, use, share, or otherwise process your personal data, including that:
- you have given consent, which you may withdraw at any time;
- it is necessary for us to perform a contract with you;
- it is necessary for us to comply with legal obligations;
- it is necessary for our or a third party’s legitimate interests;
- it is necessary for us to perform a task in the public interest or for our official functions; and/or
- it is necessary to protect someone’s life.
To the extent we rely on our legitimate interests as a legal basis to collect, use, share, or otherwise process your personally identifiable information and data, those interests include: providing a product or service you requested; securing your membership status; fulfilling your membership benefits; analyzing, evaluating, and improving member and prospective member needs and interests; notifying you of CLOC official business, news, activities, programs, events, meetings, conferences, services, products, and benefits; tracking event, meeting, and conference attendance; preparing invoices and processing payments; responding to communications and inquiries that you send to us; responding to a notice of alleged copyright infringement; and promoting the function, safety and security of our services.
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share information we have collected about you in certain situations with a third party in order to complete a specific business transaction on behalf of CLOC or other legitimate purposes including the following:
- Your name and contact information, as provided to CLOC, may be shared with CLOC’s partners, exhibitors, sponsors, or other members to provide a service, fulfill a contractual obligation, satisfy a question, or develop a prospective business relationship. We are not responsible for members’ use or misuse of your personal information.
- Your name and contact information, as provided to CLOC, may appear on registration or attendee lists distributed at CLOC programs, events, meetings, and conferences to other attendees and third parties including, but not limited to, exhibitors or sponsors. We are not responsible for use or misuse of your personal information by exhibitors, sponsors, or the like.
- We may share your personal information with third parties that provide services to CLOC including, but not limited to, administration/operation support; marketing, promotions, and communications; program, event, meeting, or conference enrollment, registration, planning, hosting, or management; website hosting; database management; data analysis; hosting services; payment processing; or other data processing.
- We may sell your name and contact information with our business partners to offer, advertise or market their products, publications and/or services to you.
- We may disclose personally identifiable information if we become subject to a subpoena, court order, or law enforcement or other government agency inquiry or investigation or if we are otherwise legally required to disclose such information. We also may use and disclose information about you to establish or exercise our legal rights, to enforce the Website Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement or our other policies, to assert and defend against legal claims, or if we believe such disclosure is necessary to investigate, prevent, or take other action regarding actual or suspected illegal or fraudulent activities or potential threats to the physical safety or well-being of any person.
- If you interact with other users of the Website, CLOC Community Connect and/or our mobile application, those users may see your name, profile photo, and descriptions of your activity, including sending invitations to other users, chatting with other users, liking posts, following blogs.
- When you post comments, contributions or other content to the Website, CLOC Community Connect or our mobile applications, your posts may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside the Website, CLOC Community Connect and our mobile application in perpetuity.
- We may use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit the Website or our mobile application. These companies may use information about your visits to the Website and our mobile application and other websites that are contained in web cookies in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you.
- If all or part of CLOC is merged into, acquired by or otherwise transferred to another entity, we may transfer the personal information you provided to us to such successor entity as part of that transaction. If we go out of business or enter bankruptcy, your information would be an asset transferred or acquired by a third party. You acknowledge that such transfers may occur and that the transferee may decline honor commitments we made in this privacy policy.
We are not responsible for the actions of third parties with whom you share personal or sensitive data, and we have no authority to manage or control third-party solicitations. If you no longer wish to receive correspondence, emails or other communications from third parties, you are responsible for contacting the third party directly.
Tracking Technologies
Cookies and Web Beacons
We may use cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and other tracking technologies on the Website and our mobile application to help customize the Website and our mobile application and improve your experience. When you access the Website or our mobile application, your personal information is not collected through the use of tracking technology. Most browsers are set to accept cookies by default. You can remove or reject cookies, but be aware that such action could affect the availability and functionality of the Website or our mobile application. You may not decline web beacons. However, they can be rendered ineffective by declining all cookies or by modifying your web browser’s settings to notify you each time a cookie is tendered, permitting you to accept or decline cookies on an individual basis.
Internet-Based Advertising
Additionally, we may use third-party software to serve ads on the Website and our mobile application, implement email marketing campaigns, and manage other interactive marketing initiatives. This third-party software may use cookies or similar tracking technology to help manage and optimize your online experience with us. For more information about opting-out of interest-based ads, visit the Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out Tool or Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out Tool.
Website Analytics
We may also partner with selected third-party vendors, such as [Adobe Analytics,] [Google Analytics,] and others, to allow tracking technologies and remarketing services on the Website and our mobile application through the use of first party cookies and third-party cookies, to, among other things, analyze and track users’ use of the Website and our mobile application, determine the popularity of certain content and better understand online activity. By accessing the Website and/or our mobile application, you consent to the collection and use of your information by these third-party vendors. You are encouraged to review their privacy policy and contact them directly for responses to your questions. We do not transfer personal information to these third-party vendors. However, if you do not want any information to be collected and used by tracking technologies, you can visit the third-party vendor or the Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out Tool or Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out Tool.
You should be aware that getting a new computer, installing a new browser, upgrading an existing browser, or erasing or otherwise altering your browser’s cookies files may also clear certain opt-out cookies, plug-ins, or settings.
External Links
There are external links to other websites throughout the Website. Please note that CLOC is not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites and hereby disclaim any liability or responsibility in connection with such linked websites.
Access to and Control of Information
CLOC takes your privacy and the protection of your personally identifiable information seriously, and we will provide you with reasonable access to and control of the personally identifiable information that you have provided to us. You may request to update your personal information or to opt in to or opt out of any service offerings at any time.
Membership Account Information: You may at any time review or change the information in your membership account by:
- Logging into your account settings and updating your account
- Contacting us using the contact information provided below
Upon your written request, we will terminate your account and deactivate or delete your account and information from our active databases. However, some information may be retained in our files to prevent fraud, troubleshoot problems, assist with any investigations, enforce our terms of use and/or comply with legal requirements.
Emails and Communications: If you no longer wish to receive commercial correspondence, emails, or other communications from us (such as advertisements, promotions, solicitation, etc.), you may opt-out by:
- Noting your preferences at the time you register your account with the Website
- Logging into your account settings and updating your preferences.
- Contacting us using the contact information provided below
If you no longer wish to receive correspondence, emails, or other communications from third parties, you are responsible for contacting the third party directly.
For individuals located in the European Economic Area, you may have additional rights concerning your personal data, such as to access, obtain a copy of, correct, or delete that information or to withdraw your consent or object to the collection, use, sharing, or other processing of that information. To make any request with respect to your personal information, please contact CLOC as set forth below in the “Contact Information” section.
Data Security
We employ reasonable security measures to protect your personal information. Online registration and information, such as payment card information, will be secured using a commercially accepted method of encryption. However, please be aware that no method of electronic transmission is completely infallible, and any information disclosed online is vulnerable to interception and misuse by unauthorized parties. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee its absolute safety. If you become aware of any breach of Website security, please contact us immediately.
Data Retention
CLOC retains your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected as set forth in this privacy policy, unless otherwise required by law. We will retain and use information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and as otherwise set forth in this privacy policy.
Data Transfer
If you are visiting the Website from outside the United States, please be aware that you are sending information, including personal data, to the United States where our servers are located. That information may then be transferred within the United States or to other countries outside the United States other than your country of residence. Countries other than your country of residence, including the United States, may have data privacy and protection laws that differ from, and potentially provide less protection than, the applicable laws in your country of residence.
To the extent that CLOC may be deemed to have transferred personal data outside of the European Economic Area, we rely on multiple legal bases for doing so. For individuals located in the European Economic Area, by providing your personal information, you consent to our use of it in accordance with this privacy policy, including the transfer of your information across international boundaries to jurisdictions anywhere in the world as permitted by applicable law. In addition, we will obtain separate and explicit consent from individuals located in the European Economic Area in connection with the provision of certain services that involve the transfer of personal data. Finally, when transferring the personal data of individuals located in the European Economic Area, we will use the standard contractual data protection clauses adopted by the European Commission, which provide safeguards for the transfer of such data, in connection with the provision of certain services that involve such transfers.
Our collection, use, sharing, and other processing of your personal information will at all times be governed by this privacy policy.
Children’s Information
Neither the CLOC website (“Website”) nor its products and services are directed toward children under the age of sixteen (16). We do not knowingly collect information from or market to children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with information without parental consent, please contact us using the contact information provided below and such information will be deleted from our records.
California Privacy Rights
California Civil Code Section 1798.83, also known as the “Shine The Light” law, permits our users who are California residents to request and obtain from us, once a year and free of charge, information about categories of personal information (if any) we disclosed to third parties for direct marketing purposes and the names and addresses of all third parties with which we shared personal information in the immediately preceding calendar year. If you are a California resident and would like to make such a request, please submit your request in writing to us using the contact information provided below.
If you are under 18 years of age, reside in California, and have a registered account with the Website or our mobile application, you have the right to request removal of unwanted data that you publicly post on the Website or our mobile application. To request removal of such data, please contact us using the contact information provided below, and include the email address associated with your account and a statement that you reside in California. We will make sure the data is not publicly displayed on the Website or our mobile application, but please be aware that the data may not be completely or comprehensively removed from our systems.
Privacy Policy Updates
Should any changes be made to this privacy policy, we will post them on this page with an appropriate explanation.
Acceptance of Privacy Policy Terms
Using the CLOC Website indicates your acceptance of our privacy policy. Your continued visits to the CLOC Website after changes are posted to this policy will signify your acceptance of those changes.
Contact Information
If you have questions, please contact us at:
Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, Inc.
6081 Meridian Ave Ste 70 #318
San Jose, CA 95120
877-206-4699
info@cloc.org
Your privacy is a priority for the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, Inc. (“CLOC”). In order to maintain efficient service while respecting your privacy and protecting any personal information you share with us, CLOC has adopted and adheres to the following Privacy Policy (the “privacy policy”). This privacy policy is incorporated into and an integral part of the Website Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement.
This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (https://cloc.org/), CLOC Community Connect and our mobile application, including any other media form, media channel, mobile website, or mobile application related or connected thereto (collectively, the “Website”). Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the Website.
We reserve the right to make changes to this privacy policy at any time and for any reason. We will alert you about any changes by updating the “Last Updated” date of this privacy policy. Any changes or modifications will be effective immediately upon posting the updated privacy policy on the Website, and you waive the right to receive specific notice of each such change or modification.
You are encouraged to periodically review this privacy policy to stay informed of updates. You will be deemed to have been made aware of, will be subject to, and will be deemed to have accepted the changes in any revised privacy policy by your continued use of the Website after the date such revised privacy policy is posted.
Specifically, this privacy policy covers the following topics:
- Information Collection
- Information Use
- Information Sharing and Disclosure
- Tracking Technologies
- External Links
- Access to and Control of Information
- Data Security
- Data Retention
- Data Transfer
- Children’s Information
- California Privacy Rights
- Privacy Policy Updates
- Acceptance of Privacy Policy Terms
- Contact Information
Information Collection
This privacy policy applies to information that CLOC collects (i) on the Website, (ii) through other platforms (and providers) used in connection with the conferences, meetings, webinars, resources, templates, publications, events and other services and products that we provide (collectively, “services and products”), and (iii) by telephone, email, text message, letter, or other methods of communication. When you use our services or products (including, without limitation, by using a template, attending a conference or webinar, etc.), we collect (i) information provided voluntarily and (ii) information collected automatically. Please note that you may decline to share your personal information with us, in which case we may not be able to provide you with certain services or products.
We may collect information about you in a variety of ways. The information we may collect on the Website includes the information described below.
- Visitor or Member Information: We will collect personally identifiable information that you provide to us, including, but not limited to, your name, employer’s name, job title, mailing address(es), e-mail address(es), telephone number(s), fax number, and demographic information, such as your age, gender, hometown, etc. that you voluntarily give to us to join CLOC, set up your membership account on the Website or when you choose to participate in various activities related to the Website such as CLOC Community Connect, our mobile application, including our online chats and message boards. Such information is necessary to facilitate your access to, use of, purchase of, or participation in our service and product offerings, including, but not limited to: membership; events, webinars, meetings, and conferences; educational programs; and online forums. You are under no obligation to provide us with personal information of any kind, however your refusal to do so may prevent you from using certain features of the Website and our mobile application.
- Payment Information: If you choose to purchase a product or service, we and/or our third-party vendors and payment processors will collect your payment information, including, but not limited to, your credit or debit card number, card verification value (CVV) number, and expiration date. We store only very limited, if any, financial information that we collect. Otherwise, all financial information is stored by our payment processor(s), Stripe and Payflow by PayPal. and you are encouraged to review their privacy policy and contact them directly for responses to your questions.
- Enrollment, Registration, and Order Forms: In order to enroll in or register for a CLOC program, to attend a CLOC program, event, meeting, webinar, or conference, or to request or order a CLOC product or service, you may be required to fill out a registration or order form (either online or in writing) and provide personally identifiable information, which we will use to process your registration or order. In certain circumstances, a program, event, meeting, webinar, or conference accessed through the Website (or online) may be jointly sponsored or co-sponsored with another organization(s), and enrollment or registration may or may not be handled by CLOC. In the event enrollment or registration is not handled by CLOC this privacy policy will not apply – instead, such third party’s privacy policy will apply and be controlling. Please note that CLOC is not responsible for the privacy policies of such other organizations or their collection, use, sharing, or other processing of your personal or other information, and CLOC hereby disclaims any liability or responsibility in connection therewith. In addition, we may share attendee lists with other attendees as well as our sponsors and exhibitors.
- Automated Information: Information our servers automatically collect when you access the Website includes information such as your IP address, your browser type, your operating system, your access times, and the pages you have viewed directly before and after accessing the Website. If you are using our mobile application, this information may also include your device name and type, your operating system, your phone number, your country, your likes and replies to a post, and other interactions with the application and other users via server log files, as well as any other information you choose to provide.
- Cookies: Cookies are pieces of stored information on a user’s computer or device that are used to provide smoother navigation throughout the Website, such as to store a saved password; to identify user trends, such as page views; and for other internal purposes, such as to assess the effectiveness of the Website. You will be asked to consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this privacy policy when you visit the Website. You have the option of setting your computer to disable cookies or to alert you when cookies are being used. If you choose to disable cookies, please be aware that portions of the Website may not function properly.
- Log Files: Log files store information such as a user’s IP address, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks. Like most websites, the CLOC Website uses log files to analyze trends, administer the Website, and track users’ movement on the Website.
- Facebook Permissions: The Website and our mobile application may by default access your Facebook basic account information, including your name, email, gender, birthday, current city, and profile picture URL, as well as other information that you choose to make public. We may also request access to other permissions related to your account, such as friends, checkins, and likes, and you may choose to grant or deny us access to each individual permission. For more information regarding Facebook permissions, refer to the Facebook Permissions Reference page.
- Data From Social Networks: User information from social networking sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Twitter, including your name, your social network username, location, gender, birth date, email address, profile picture, and public data for contacts, if you connect your account to such social networks. If you are using our mobile application, this information may also include the contact information of anyone you invite to use and/or join our mobile application.
- Mobile Device Data: Device information, such as your mobile device ID, model, and manufacturer, and information about the location of your device, if you access the Website from a mobile device.
- Third-Party Data: Information from third parties, such as personal information or network friends, if you connect your account to the third party and grant the Website permission to access this information.
- Data From Contests, Giveaways, and Surveys: Personal and other information you may provide when entering contests or giveaways and/or responding to surveys.
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Mobile Application Information: If you connect using our mobile application:
- Geo-Location Information: We may request access or permission to and track location-based information from your mobile device, either continuously or while you are using our mobile application, to provide location-based services. If you wish to change our access or permissions, you may do so in your device’s settings.
- Mobile Device Access: We may request access or permission to certain features from your mobile device, including your mobile device’s bluetooth, calendar, camera, contacts, microphone, reminders, sensors, SMS messages, social media accounts, storage, and other features. If you wish to change our access or permissions, you may do so in your device’s settings.
- Mobile Device Data: We may collect device information (such as your mobile device ID, model and manufacturer), operating system, version information and IP address.
- Push Notifications: We may request to send you push notifications regarding your account or our mobile application. If you wish to opt-out from receiving these types of communications, you may turn them off in your device’s settings.
Information Use
CLOC uses the information that we collect to provide our services and products and to operate our business. We may use and store such information for legitimate and lawful business purposes, for example, in order to:
- create and manage your membership account;
- provide a service or product you requested;
- secure your membership status;
- fulfill and manage your membership benefits and purchases, orders, payments and other transactions;
- analyze, evaluate, and improve member and prospective member needs, interests and trends, and improve the member and prospective member experience;
- notify you (via email, telephone, mail and other means) of CLOC official business, news, activities, programs, events, meetings, conferences, services, products, benefits and offer new products, services and recommendations to you;
- contact you (via email, telephone, mail and other means) regarding your member account, registrations or orders of our products and services;
- send you newsletters and other communications;
- deliver targeted advertising, coupons, newsletters, and other information regarding promotions and the Website and our mobile application to you;
- increase the efficiency and operation of the Website and our mobile application;
- track event, meeting, and conference attendance;
- prepare member, attendee, sponsor and other lists and share or license such lists with third parties including, without limitation, other members, attendees, sponsors and exhibitors;
- prepare invoices and process payments;
- compile anonymous statistical data and analysis for use internally or with third parties;
- respond to communications and inquiries that you send to us;
- respond to a notice of alleged copyright infringement;
- promote the function, safety and security of our services;
- perform other business and association activities as needed;
- assist law enforcement and respond to subpoena; and
- for other legitimate and lawful business purposes.
For individuals located in the European Economic Area, we rely on multiple legal bases to collect, use, share, or otherwise process your personal data, including that:
- you have given consent, which you may withdraw at any time;
- it is necessary for us to perform a contract with you;
- it is necessary for us to comply with legal obligations;
- it is necessary for our or a third party’s legitimate interests;
- it is necessary for us to perform a task in the public interest or for our official functions; and/or
- it is necessary to protect someone’s life.
To the extent we rely on our legitimate interests as a legal basis to collect, use, share, or otherwise process your personally identifiable information and data, those interests include: providing a product or service you requested; securing your membership status; fulfilling your membership benefits; analyzing, evaluating, and improving member and prospective member needs and interests; notifying you of CLOC official business, news, activities, programs, events, meetings, conferences, services, products, and benefits; tracking event, meeting, and conference attendance; preparing invoices and processing payments; responding to communications and inquiries that you send to us; responding to a notice of alleged copyright infringement; and promoting the function, safety and security of our services.
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share information we have collected about you in certain situations with a third party in order to complete a specific business transaction on behalf of CLOC or other legitimate purposes including the following:
- Your name and contact information, as provided to CLOC, may be shared with CLOC’s partners, exhibitors, sponsors, or other members to provide a service, fulfill a contractual obligation, satisfy a question, or develop a prospective business relationship. We are not responsible for members’ use or misuse of your personal information.
- Your name and contact information, as provided to CLOC, may appear on registration or attendee lists distributed at CLOC programs, events, meetings, and conferences to other attendees and third parties including, but not limited to, exhibitors or sponsors. We are not responsible for use or misuse of your personal information by exhibitors, sponsors, or the like.
- We may share your personal information with third parties that provide services to CLOC including, but not limited to, administration/operation support; marketing, promotions, and communications; program, event, meeting, or conference enrollment, registration, planning, hosting, or management; website hosting; database management; data analysis; hosting services; payment processing; or other data processing.
- We may sell your name and contact information with our business partners to offer, advertise or market their products, publications and/or services to you.
- We may disclose personally identifiable information if we become subject to a subpoena, court order, or law enforcement or other government agency inquiry or investigation or if we are otherwise legally required to disclose such information. We also may use and disclose information about you to establish or exercise our legal rights, to enforce the Website Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement or our other policies, to assert and defend against legal claims, or if we believe such disclosure is necessary to investigate, prevent, or take other action regarding actual or suspected illegal or fraudulent activities or potential threats to the physical safety or well-being of any person.
- If you interact with other users of the Website, CLOC Community Connect and/or our mobile application, those users may see your name, profile photo, and descriptions of your activity, including sending invitations to other users, chatting with other users, liking posts, following blogs.
- When you post comments, contributions or other content to the Website, CLOC Community Connect or our mobile applications, your posts may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside the Website, CLOC Community Connect and our mobile application in perpetuity.
- We may use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit the Website or our mobile application. These companies may use information about your visits to the Website and our mobile application and other websites that are contained in web cookies in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you.
- If all or part of CLOC is merged into, acquired by or otherwise transferred to another entity, we may transfer the personal information you provided to us to such successor entity as part of that transaction. If we go out of business or enter bankruptcy, your information would be an asset transferred or acquired by a third party. You acknowledge that such transfers may occur and that the transferee may decline honor commitments we made in this privacy policy.
We are not responsible for the actions of third parties with whom you share personal or sensitive data, and we have no authority to manage or control third-party solicitations. If you no longer wish to receive correspondence, emails or other communications from third parties, you are responsible for contacting the third party directly.
Tracking Technologies
Cookies and Web Beacons
We may use cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and other tracking technologies on the Website and our mobile application to help customize the Website and our mobile application and improve your experience. When you access the Website or our mobile application, your personal information is not collected through the use of tracking technology. Most browsers are set to accept cookies by default. You can remove or reject cookies, but be aware that such action could affect the availability and functionality of the Website or our mobile application. You may not decline web beacons. However, they can be rendered ineffective by declining all cookies or by modifying your web browser’s settings to notify you each time a cookie is tendered, permitting you to accept or decline cookies on an individual basis.
Internet-Based Advertising
Additionally, we may use third-party software to serve ads on the Website and our mobile application, implement email marketing campaigns, and manage other interactive marketing initiatives. This third-party software may use cookies or similar tracking technology to help manage and optimize your online experience with us. For more information about opting-out of interest-based ads, visit the Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out Tool or Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out Tool.
Website Analytics
We may also partner with selected third-party vendors, such as [Adobe Analytics,] [Google Analytics,] and others, to allow tracking technologies and remarketing services on the Website and our mobile application through the use of first party cookies and third-party cookies, to, among other things, analyze and track users’ use of the Website and our mobile application, determine the popularity of certain content and better understand online activity. By accessing the Website and/or our mobile application, you consent to the collection and use of your information by these third-party vendors. You are encouraged to review their privacy policy and contact them directly for responses to your questions. We do not transfer personal information to these third-party vendors. However, if you do not want any information to be collected and used by tracking technologies, you can visit the third-party vendor or the Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out Tool or Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out Tool.
You should be aware that getting a new computer, installing a new browser, upgrading an existing browser, or erasing or otherwise altering your browser’s cookies files may also clear certain opt-out cookies, plug-ins, or settings.
External Links
There are external links to other websites throughout the Website. Please note that CLOC is not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites and hereby disclaim any liability or responsibility in connection with such linked websites.
Access to and Control of Information
CLOC takes your privacy and the protection of your personally identifiable information seriously, and we will provide you with reasonable access to and control of the personally identifiable information that you have provided to us. You may request to update your personal information or to opt in to or opt out of any service offerings at any time.
Membership Account Information: You may at any time review or change the information in your membership account by:
- Logging into your account settings and updating your account
- Contacting us using the contact information provided below
Upon your written request, we will terminate your account and deactivate or delete your account and information from our active databases. However, some information may be retained in our files to prevent fraud, troubleshoot problems, assist with any investigations, enforce our terms of use and/or comply with legal requirements.
Emails and Communications: If you no longer wish to receive commercial correspondence, emails, or other communications from us (such as advertisements, promotions, solicitation, etc.), you may opt-out by:
- Noting your preferences at the time you register your account with the Website
- Logging into your account settings and updating your preferences.
- Contacting us using the contact information provided below
If you no longer wish to receive correspondence, emails, or other communications from third parties, you are responsible for contacting the third party directly.
For individuals located in the European Economic Area, you may have additional rights concerning your personal data, such as to access, obtain a copy of, correct, or delete that information or to withdraw your consent or object to the collection, use, sharing, or other processing of that information. To make any request with respect to your personal information, please contact CLOC as set forth below in the “Contact Information” section.
Data Security
We employ reasonable security measures to protect your personal information. Online registration and information, such as payment card information, will be secured using a commercially accepted method of encryption. However, please be aware that no method of electronic transmission is completely infallible, and any information disclosed online is vulnerable to interception and misuse by unauthorized parties. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee its absolute safety. If you become aware of any breach of Website security, please contact us immediately.
Data Retention
CLOC retains your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected as set forth in this privacy policy, unless otherwise required by law. We will retain and use information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and as otherwise set forth in this privacy policy.
Data Transfer
If you are visiting the Website from outside the United States, please be aware that you are sending information, including personal data, to the United States where our servers are located. That information may then be transferred within the United States or to other countries outside the United States other than your country of residence. Countries other than your country of residence, including the United States, may have data privacy and protection laws that differ from, and potentially provide less protection than, the applicable laws in your country of residence.
To the extent that CLOC may be deemed to have transferred personal data outside of the European Economic Area, we rely on multiple legal bases for doing so. For individuals located in the European Economic Area, by providing your personal information, you consent to our use of it in accordance with this privacy policy, including the transfer of your information across international boundaries to jurisdictions anywhere in the world as permitted by applicable law. In addition, we will obtain separate and explicit consent from individuals located in the European Economic Area in connection with the provision of certain services that involve the transfer of personal data. Finally, when transferring the personal data of individuals located in the European Economic Area, we will use the standard contractual data protection clauses adopted by the European Commission, which provide safeguards for the transfer of such data, in connection with the provision of certain services that involve such transfers.
Our collection, use, sharing, and other processing of your personal information will at all times be governed by this privacy policy.
Children’s Information
Neither the CLOC website (“Website”) nor its products and services are directed toward children under the age of sixteen (16). We do not knowingly collect information from or market to children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with information without parental consent, please contact us using the contact information provided below and such information will be deleted from our records.
California Privacy Rights
California Civil Code Section 1798.83, also known as the “Shine The Light” law, permits our users who are California residents to request and obtain from us, once a year and free of charge, information about categories of personal information (if any) we disclosed to third parties for direct marketing purposes and the names and addresses of all third parties with which we shared personal information in the immediately preceding calendar year. If you are a California resident and would like to make such a request, please submit your request in writing to us using the contact information provided below.
If you are under 18 years of age, reside in California, and have a registered account with the Website or our mobile application, you have the right to request removal of unwanted data that you publicly post on the Website or our mobile application. To request removal of such data, please contact us using the contact information provided below, and include the email address associated with your account and a statement that you reside in California. We will make sure the data is not publicly displayed on the Website or our mobile application, but please be aware that the data may not be completely or comprehensively removed from our systems.
Privacy Policy Updates
Should any changes be made to this privacy policy, we will post them on this page with an appropriate explanation.
Acceptance of Privacy Policy Terms
Using the CLOC Website indicates your acceptance of our privacy policy. Your continued visits to the CLOC Website after changes are posted to this policy will signify your acceptance of those changes.
Contact Information
If you have questions, please contact us at:
Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, Inc.
6081 Meridian Ave Ste 70 #318
San Jose, CA 95120
877-206-4699
info@cloc.org
Code of Conduct
CLOC is committed to maintaining an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment. CLOC will not tolerate any behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. This means not only for our members and staff, but for everyone with whom we engage. This Code of Conduct outlines CLOC’s expectations and governs interactions with, or between members, vendors, staff, guests, and anyone who does business with CLOC, whether at CLOC-hosted events, interactions prompted by our events, or on-line. For more information specific to our on-line community, see our Community Terms and Conditions.
By becoming a member of CLOC, providing services or products to CLOC, or by attending an event or participating in any CLOC activity, you agree to adhere to this Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct is subject to periodic review and may be updated as needed to reflect the evolving needs and values of CLOC. You agree to comply with the most current publicly available version of this Code of Conduct.
Behavior: We expect you to treat each other with respect, courtesy, and professionalism. CLOC has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination or harassment, of any kind, including bullying, offensive language, inappropriate gestures, acts of violence, or any other form of harassment. We also require that you refrain from any disruptive behavior that, although not targeted at any individual specifically, undermines our constructive and inclusive environment. In digital interactions, carefully consider the potential impact of sharing sensitive or triggering content. Be mindful of cultural differences and diverse perspectives. Treat others with respect.
Diversity: We value diversity and seek to celebrate the contributions of all people – regardless of race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), socioeconomic status, religion, creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, military and veteran status, genetic information, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other protected class, characteristic, or consideration. We expect you to value and celebrate the contributions of all people as well.
Alcohol and Substance Use: We expect you to consume alcohol and legal substances responsibly. Anyone found to be impaired or acting inappropriately as a result, may be asked to leave.
Compliance and Ethics: We expect you to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations. Any engagement in illegal activities, including discrimination or harassment based on a protected class or characteristic, is strictly prohibited. Further, we expect you to conduct yourselves with honesty and integrity. Avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential conflicts that may arise during CLOC events, meetings, discussions, or other activities.
Competition: We do not condone any form of anti-competitive behavior. We expect you to promote fair and ethical competition within our industry. Avoid engaging in anticompetitive practices, discussions, or activities that may harm the interests of other members or stakeholders. For more, see our Antitrust Compliance Policy.
Confidentiality and Resources: We expect you to respect the confidentiality and intellectual property of others and to use CLOC resources responsibly and for the benefit of CLOC and its mission. Do not use or disclose confidential information without proper authorization. Unauthorized use of resources or activities that may harm CLOC’s reputation are not allowed.
Public Representation: While we welcome members into this community, we expect you to represent only your personal views publicly and not act or characterize that you are representing CLOC, its community, staff, or CLOC’s Board of Directors. We expect you to avoid making misleading statements, or misrepresentations, whether intentional or otherwise, and to take prompt and full action to rectify any inaccurate or overly broad statements. Speak only on your own behalf unless you have express authorization from CLOC.
Reporting Violations: See something, say something! We ask you to report any suspected violations of this Code of Conduct promptly to conduct@cloc.org. CLOC is committed to investigating and addressing reported violations and will maintain confidentiality and reporters’ anonymity as best as possible. CLOC reserves the right to take any action it deems necessary and appropriate in response to a suspected violation, including immediate removal from an event without warning or refund, removal from our membership, or from our on-line platforms and CLOC reserves the right to prohibit attendance at future events.
Antitrust Guidelines
CORPORATE LEGAL OPERATIONS CONSORTIUM, INC.
ANTITRUST COMPLIANCE POLICY
It is the policy of the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, Inc. (“CLOC”) to comply strictly with all laws and regulations applicable to its activities. Compliance with the letter and spirit of the antitrust laws is important to the success of CLOC and to advancing its objectives. In order to minimize the possibility of antitrust concerns, CLOC requires its members, meeting attendees, website users, officers, directors, committee and task force members, employees, agents and anyone using its technology (such as its online community, social media accounts, collaboration tools and listservs) to abide by the terms of this antitrust policy (“Policy”).
- No individual officer, director, member (including, without limitation, committee and task force members), employee, or other party is authorized to speak or act on behalf of CLOC unless specifically granted such authorization by CLOC in writing (all references to “in writing” or “written” include email).
- The Board of Directors is the only party authorized to issue policy statements or adopt positions (public or otherwise) on behalf of CLOC. In addition, responses to questions or complaints from the public or from private parties must be coordinated for prior approval by the Board of Directors.
- No individual officer, director, member (including, without limitation, committee and task force members), employee, or other party is authorized to use CLOC letterhead or CLOC’s logo without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors, or its designee.
- Agendas for CLOC meetings will be prepared in advance, with proper review by a CLOC staff member, and followed at the meeting. Only approved agenda items will be discussed. Board, committee, task force, CLOC members and other meeting attendees will not participate in “rump” sessions outside of regularly scheduled meetings to discuss items not on an agenda.
- The CLOC Secretary, or their designee, will take minutes of all Board (including Executive Committee) and membership meetings, which minutes will fully and accurately document all actions taken at the meeting (and only action items) and will be submitted to the CLOC Headquarters and reviewed by an appropriate CLOC staff member prior to distribution. Upon approval, such minutes will become the “official minutes” retained by CLOC. Each committee, task force, or other party holding a meeting will appoint a member to take meeting minutes and will submit such minutes to the CLOC Headquarters for approval. Members may not keep their own minutes.
- Periodic written reports to the Board are required from all committees, task forces, and the like reflecting all pending matters, requests for action and approvals for preliminary decisions. Such reports will be submitted for review by the President, or his or her designee, a designated member of CLOC staff, and, upon request, by legal counsel prior to distribution.
- Legal counsel should review all written communications that may involve competitively sensitive information before it is distributed, including but not limited to newsletters, letters, speeches, and presentations.
- Committees, task forces, and the like may act only within the scope of their authority, and all correspondence must comply with this Policy. Recommendations will be made to the Board of Directors for other actions to be taken.
- Participants in all meetings related to or discussing CLOC business, whether Board of Directors, membership, committee, task force, or other meetings, must comply with this Policy at all times.
- Any questions regarding this Policy or its implementation will be addressed to the CLOC President or Executive Director.
- All CLOC officers, directors, committees, task forces, members, employees, and agents must adhere to the CLOC Antitrust Guidelines, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
- A copy of this Policy will be made available to all CLOC members, meeting attendees, technology users, employees, and agents, and the need to comply with its terms will be communicated regularly. A copy of the Policy will be provided to each new Board member and to each new staff member within thirty (30) days of hire.
CORPORATE LEGAL OPERATIONS CONSORTIUM, INC. (“CLOC”)
ANTITRUST GUIDELINES
Associations (such as CLOC), although well recognized as valuable tools of American society, are subject to strict scrutiny by both federal and state governments. While such scrutiny should not prevent participation in, and support for, an association, members and others should be aware of, and comply with, certain relevant legal principles. Compliance with these laws does not prevent associations and their members from lawfully engaging in a wide variety of group activities, as long as the purpose or intended effect of the activities is promotion of an industry as a whole, and not to gain a competitive advantage over non-members.
Accordingly, in order to minimize the possibility of antitrust concerns, CLOC requires its members, meeting attendees, website users, officers, directors, committee and task force members, employees, agents and anyone using its technology (such as its online community, social media accounts, collaboration tools and listservs) to abide by the terms of its Antitrust Policy and these Antitrust Guidelines.
The single most significant law affecting organizations such as CLOC is the Sherman Antitrust Act, which makes unlawful every contract, combination or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce. The Federal Trade Commission Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act and the Robinson-Patman Act also are applicable to associations, for they also forbid anticompetitive activities. Furthermore, virtually every state has enacted antitrust laws similar to the Sherman Act. As such, any association activity that arguably could be perceived as a restraint of trade exposes an association and its members to antitrust risk.
Associations are frequent targets of antitrust investigations and litigation because association activities often meet one of the two elements necessary for a Sherman Act violation: collective action. Under those circumstances, a plaintiff (whether the government or a private party) need only demonstrate a “restraint of trade” by an association to prove an antitrust violation. That, and the fact that antitrust laws are written in broad terms and contain general prohibitions, means associations and their activities are at a higher risk of antitrust scrutiny.
Between the state and federal laws, there is no organization too small or too localized to escape the possibility of a civil or criminal antitrust suit. It is thus imperative that every association member, regardless of the size of the association, refrain from indulging in any activity which may be the basis for a federal or state antitrust action.
There are four main areas of antitrust concern for associations: price fixing, membership, self-regulation, and standardization. The area of greatest concern historically has been price fixing. The government may infer a violation of the Sherman Act by the mere fact that all or most of the members of the association are following the same course with respect to prices or other terms or conditions of trade. It is not required that there be an actual agreement, written or oral, to set prices. Rather, price fixing is a very broad term, which includes any concerted effort or action that has an effect on competition, or on prices, terms, or conditions of trade. Moreover, such concerted actions (affecting prices) cannot be justified by showing that they will benefit customers, or that the prices set are otherwise reasonable.
Accordingly, members of CLOC and its Board of Directors, committees, task forces, meeting attendees, technology users and the like should refrain from any discussion which may provide the basis for an inference that the members agreed to take any action relating to prices, services, production, allocation of markets or any other matter having a market effect. These discussions should be avoided both at formal meetings and informal gatherings.
The following topics are some examples of the subjects which should not be discussed at any formal or informal CLOC meeting, either virtual or live:
- Do not discuss your own or others’ current or future billing rates, fees, disbursement charges, prices or other times that could be construed as “price” or anything that might affect prices or fees, such as costs, discounts, terms of sale, or profit margins. Exercise caution if discussing past billing rates, fees or prices.
- Do not discuss what is a fair profit, billing rate or wage level.
- Do not discuss increases or decreases in price, fees or wages, or disbursement charges. Interest charges are considered an item of price, for example.
- Do not discuss what you or others plan to do in particular geographic or product markets or with particular services, including the elimination, restriction, or limitation of the quantity or quality of any service to be offered or limitation of services to particular territories, clients, or groups.
- Do not discuss standardizing or stabilizing billing rates, prices or pricing procedures.
- Do not discuss cash discounts or credit terms.
- Do not discuss allocating markets or clients. (This applies to services as well as products.)
- Do not complain to a competitor that its billing rates or pricing constitute unfair trade practices and do not discuss the potential of or the desirability of refusing to deal with a company or individual because of pricing or distribution practices. A law firm or a corporate legal department may be considered a competitor.
- Do not discuss anticipated wage rates.
- Do not conduct surveys (either on behalf of CLOC or informally) relating to fees, wages, billing rates, benefits, compensation or other economic matters. Only CLOC may conduct such surveys after first assessing and addressing any potential antitrust considerations and complying with available guidance and requirements.
Members and others should object to any discussions or meeting activities that appear to violate these guidelines, promptly excuse themselves if the discussion continues, insist that the minutes reflect their departure, and immediately communicate their objection to CLOC’s legal counsel.
Inasmuch as an association’s antitrust violations can subject all association members and involved parties to criminal and civil liability, members should be aware of the legal risks regarding membership policy and industry self-regulation. Because membership in an association can be of substantial benefit, associations must ensure that they do not in any way restrict or prejudice competitors from membership or illegally discriminate against non-members. Membership policies should avoid:
1. Restrictions on dealing with non-members.
2. Excluding from membership any qualified participant.
3. Limitations on access to association information.
In encouraging certain conduct, associations may lawfully establish a code of ethics. However, codes that may have an anticompetitive effect, such as those banning advertising or competitive bidding, are prohibited. In general, industry or professional self-regulation, ordinarily manifested by a code of ethics, must avoid:
1. Requiring refusal to deal with any member violating the association’s code of ethics.
2. Arbitrary enforcement of the code.
3. Unreasonably severe penalties for violation of the code.
4. Regulations or polices which have price fixing implications, such as preventing the advertising of prices.
Standardization programs can be among the most beneficial activities in which associations engage. There is a substantial risk, however, that such programs will be used to restrict competition or discriminate against certain competitors. Thus, the following guidelines should be followed:
1. Standards should be voluntary.
2. Non-members must be allowed to participate although they may be charged a reasonable, higher fee.
3. Proposed voluntary standards should be widely circulated for comment by affected parties.
4. Performance standards, rather than design standards, should be used.
5. Periodic review of standards criteria should occur in order to account for changing technology.
6. Due process procedures for denials should be established.
7. Standard validation by an independent authority may be beneficial.
An association may be held strictly liable for the illegal conduct of its members and agents acting under the association’s name even if the association has not authorized the activity. Thus, an association must ensure that its members and agents are not using the association’s legitimate activities for anticompetitive purposes. Associations that undertake standardization programs are particularly vulnerable to this type of liability and should closely monitor such activities. Thus, associations should consider:
1. Adopting written guidelines outlining the authority and responsibility of members and staff, including who may “speak” for the association and who may use association letterhead.
2. Requiring written committee reports of pending and completed matters.
3. Implementing due process procedures for decision-making and dispute resolution.
The penalties for violating federal and state antitrust laws are severe. The Sherman Act is a criminal conspiracy statute. Therefore, active participants, as well as individuals who silently acquiesce in illegal activity, can be held criminally responsible. Violation of the Sherman Act is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $100 million for corporations, and a fine of up to $1 million or up to ten years imprisonment (or both) for individuals. Under some circumstances, the maximum potential fine may be increased above the Sherman Act maximums to twice the gain or loss involved. In addition, collusion among competitors may constitute violations of the mail or wire fraud statutes, the false statements statute, or other federal felony statutes. In addition to receiving a criminal sentence, a corporation or individual convicted of a violation may be ordered to make restitution to the victims for all overcharges. Additionally, there are civil penalties such as cease and desist orders, requiring government supervision of association members, restricting the association’s activities and disbanding the association.
The greater likelihood of occurrence, and possibly the more severe penalty, may be civil suits brought by competitors or even consumers. Civil antitrust actions result in treble damage awards. Thus, an antitrust violation which caused $500,000 in damages would result in an award of $1,500,000.
The government’s attitude toward associations requires associations and their members and others participating in their activities to, at all times, conduct their business openly and avoid any semblance of activity which might lead to the belief that association members had agreed, even informally, to something that could have an effect on prices or competition. Thus, it is important that members and others participating in CLOC activities contact CLOC for guidance if they have even the slightest qualms about the propriety of a proposed activity or discussion. Because of the importance of the antitrust laws, as well as the practical importance of associations, to the successful functioning of the American economy, strict compliance with the antitrust laws by associations and their members is critical.
Terms of Use
Agreement. By using the Website, you agree to these Website Terms and Conditions of Use (“Terms of Use” or “Agreement”). CLOC reserves the right to change these Terms of Use from time to time. The current “Terms and Conditions of Use” will always be posted on the Website, and you may view it at any time through the link at the bottom of any public page of the Website.
Description of Service. The Website consists of several sections, some of which have restricted access (e.g., the “Login” section). Respect the security of the Website. Do not attempt to gain access to areas private to CLOC, its members, vendors, or designees.
Intellectual Property. The entire contents and design of the Website, including all trademarks, logos, trade names, documents, databases, graphic representations, and other information, are the property of CLOC, or are used by CLOC with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws, whether or not a notice of copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights appears on the screen displaying the information. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of the Website may save and use information contained on the Website only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission, or editing, of Website information may be made without the prior written permission of CLOC, which may be requested by contacting CLOC at info@cloc.org.
Limitation of Liability. In no event shall CLOC or its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, members, staff, or agents be liable for any damages of any kind, including, without limitation, any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages, whether or not advised of the possibility of such damages, and on any theory of liability whatsoever, arising out of, or in connection with, the use or performance of the Website or any content appearing on the Website.
Disclaimer. CLOC makes no warranty, guaranty, or representation regarding the accuracy, content, completeness, reliability, operability, or legality of information contained within the Website, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular use, and non-infringement of proprietary rights. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented within the Website are for general information only. Unless specifically stated otherwise, CLOC does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned on the Website, and information from the Website should not be referenced in any way to imply such endorsement or approval. Moreover, CLOC makes no warranty that the Website, or the server that makes it available, is free from viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. CLOC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, reliance on, or inability to use the Website or the information presented on the Website. In any jurisdiction that does not permit such a disclaimer of liability, CLOC’s liability shall be limited to the greatest extent allowed by applicable law.
External Links. Links or pointers connecting the Website with other Internet sites are provided as a courtesy only and do not imply, directly or indirectly, the endorsement, sponsorship, or approval by CLOC of the linked site, the organization or individual operating the linked site, or any product, service, individual, or organization referenced in the linked site. In general, any website that has an address (or URL) that does not contain “cloc.org” is a linked site. The content of any linked site does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards, or policies of CLOC. Linked sites are not under the control of CLOC and CLOC is not responsible for the content of any linked site, any links contained within a linked site, any changes or updates to such sites, or the compliance with applicable laws of such linked sites.
DMCA Notice and Takedown Procedures. CLOC abides by the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by responding to notices of alleged infringement that comply with the DMCA and other applicable laws. As part of its response, CLOC may remove or disable access to material on the Website that is claimed to be infringing, in which case, CLOC will make a good-faith attempt to contact the person who submitted the affected material so that person may make a counter notification, also in accordance with the DMCA. By posting material to the Website, the posting party represents and warrants that he or she owns the copyright with respect to such material or has received permission from the copyright owner. In addition, the posting party grants CLOC and users of the Website the nonexclusive, unrestricted, royalty-free right and license to display, copy, publish, distribute, transmit, print, and use such information or other material. Anyone who believes that material posted on the Website infringes on his or her copyrighted work should refer to the Procedures for Requesting Removal of Infringing Material.
Choice of Law and Forum. This Agreement is entered into and performed in the State of Delaware, United States of America, and is governed by the laws of Delaware, exclusive of its choice of law or conflict of laws provisions. In any claim or action directly or indirectly arising under this Agreement or related to the Website, each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the state courts located in Kent County, Delaware, or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, whichever has jurisdiction, and each party waives any jurisdictional, venue, or inconvenient forum objections to such court.
Privacy Policy. Please click the link to review the terms of the CLOC Privacy Policy, which is incorporated in these Terms of Use by reference and made a part hereof.
Complete Agreement. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement are held by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction not to be enforceable, then such provisions shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that this Agreement shall otherwise remain in full force and effect. These Terms of Use supersede any other statements included elsewhere on the Website that are inconsistent or conflict with these Terms of Use.
Amendments. CLOC reserves the right to modify or change the terms and rules for use of the Website as they determine from time to time in the best interests of CLOC. Use of the Website constitutes the user’s continuing agreement to be bound by these Terms of Use, as they are amended from time to time.
Procedures for Requesting the Removal of Infringing Material
The owner of a copyrighted work (or the agent for the owner) who believes that material posted on this Website infringes on the copyrighted work may request that the allegedly infringing material be removed from the Website by notifying CLOC’s designated agent for such purposes. The notice of alleged copyright infringement must:
(a) identify in sufficient detail the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed;
(b) provide the electronic or physical signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on the owner’s behalf;
(c) include a statement by the copyright owner or authorized agent that he or she has a good faith belief that the disputed use is unauthorized;
(d) include a statement that the information contained in the request is accurate and an attestation, under penalty of perjury, that the requesting party is the copyright owner or authorized agent; and
(e) include the copyright owner or authorized agent’s name, mailing address, telephone number and email address.
A notice of alleged copyright infringement may be submitted to CLOC’s designated copyright agent by mail or email as set forth below:
Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, Inc.
6081 Meridian Ave Ste 70 #318
San Jose, CA 95120
877-206-4699
info@cloc.org
Please note that anyone who submits a false notice and materially misrepresents that content on the Website is infringing may be liable for damages, including court costs and attorneys’ fees. Upon receiving a proper notice, CLOC will remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material and promptly notify the alleged infringer of the owner’s claim. CLOC also will advise the alleged infringer of the statutory counter-notification procedure described below by which the alleged infringer may respond to the claim and request that his or her material be restored.
Anyone who believes his or her own copyrighted material has been removed by CLOC from the Website as a result of mistake or misidentification may submit a written counter-notice to CLOC’s designated copyright agent. To be effective, a counter-notice must:
(a) identify the material that has been removed or disabled and the location at which the material appeared before it was removed or disabled;
(b) include a statement consenting to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court in which the submitting party’s address is located, or if the address is outside the United States, for any judicial district in which the service provider may be found;
(c) include a statement that the submitting party will accept service of process from the party that filed the notice of alleged copyright infringement or the party’s agent;
(d) provide the submitting party’s name, address and telephone number;
(e) include a statement under penalty of perjury that the submitting party has a good faith belief that the material in question was removed or disabled as a result of mistake or misidentification of the material to be removed or disabled; and
(f) include the submitting party’s physical or electronic signature.
A counter-notice may be submitted to CLOC’s designated copyright agent by mail or email as set forth below:
Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, Inc.
6081 Meridian Ave Ste 70 #318
San Jose, CA 95120
877-206-4699
info@cloc.org
Please note that the above is not a substitute for legal advice. Contact your attorney for legal advice to better understand your rights and obligations under the DMCA and applicable laws.
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For all inquiries, please contact us at info@cloc.org.
CLOC Mailing Address: 6081 Meridian Ave, Suite 70 – 318, San Jose, CA 95120