1. Introduction
MergerWatch (the “Site”) is a proprietary market intelligence platform founded by Chris Batz and owned and operated by Columbus Street LLC (“Columbus Street,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit https://mergerwatch.com and use our related services, including our merger tracker, downloadable reports, and email communications.
MergerWatch is operated by the same entity that operates columbus-street.com, which is governed by its own separate privacy policy. Although both properties are owned by Columbus Street LLC, each website maintains separate data collection systems and separate email marketing accounts (via Kit, formerly ConvertKit). Your opt-in to MergerWatch communications does not subscribe you to Columbus Street communications, and vice versa. However, certain back-end research, data management, and law firm merger data are managed through Columbus Street’s centralized Google Workspace accounts.
By accessing or using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the practices described herein, please discontinue use of the Site.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you interact with the Site, including:
Report Downloads. When you download reports such as our Annual Report, Five-Year Analysis, or Monthly Reports, we collect your name, email address, and organization name.
Newsletter and Update Subscriptions. When you subscribe to receive monthly data summaries and report announcements, we collect your email address and any additional information you provide. MergerWatch email communications are managed through a dedicated Kit (formerly ConvertKit) account that is separate from the Kit account used for Columbus Street.
Transaction Submissions. When you submit verified deal details through our contact form for potential inclusion in the merger tracker, we collect your name, email address, organization, and the transaction information you provide.
Contact Inquiries. If you contact us through the Site or via email, we collect the content of your communications and any information you choose to provide.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the Site, certain information is collected automatically, including your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type, screen resolution, pages visited, time spent on pages, referring URLs, click patterns, and other browsing behavior. We use cookies and similar tracking technologies as described in Section 6 below.
2.3 Information from Third-Party Sources
We may receive information from publicly available sources, analytics providers, and professional networking platforms.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to deliver requested reports, data products, and resources; to send email communications including monthly data summaries, report announcements, and market updates where you have subscribed; to process and verify transaction submissions for potential inclusion in our merger tracker database; to operate, maintain, and improve the Site, including analyzing usage patterns and enhancing our data offerings; to protect the security and integrity of the Site; to comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms and Conditions; and to support our legitimate business interests including research, market analysis, and business development.
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:
Service Providers. We share information with third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, including website hosting (WordPress), email marketing (Kit/ConvertKit), analytics, and IT support. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only as necessary to provide services to us.
Affiliated Properties. MergerWatch is owned and operated by Columbus Street LLC, which also operates columbus-street.com. While each website maintains separate opt-in subscriber lists and separate Kit accounts, certain administrative, research, and law firm merger data are managed through Columbus Street’s centralized Google Workspace environment. We do not merge subscriber lists across the two websites without your separate consent for each.
Professional Advisors. We may share information with our legal counsel, accountants, or other professional advisors as necessary for business operations.
Legal Requirements. We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Columbus Street, our users, or others.
Business Transfers. In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change via email or prominent notice on the Site.
With Your Consent. We may share your information for other purposes with your express consent.
5. Merger Tracker Data
The MergerWatch merger tracker contains information about law firm merger and acquisition transactions that is gathered from publicly available sources including news outlets, press releases, and official announcements. This data pertains to business entities and transactions rather than individuals’ personal information. The law firm merger data is collected, verified, and managed through Columbus Street’s Google Workspace accounts as part of the Company’s proprietary research operations.
If you believe that information published in the merger tracker is inaccurate or that its inclusion raises a privacy concern, please contact us using the information in Section 15.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
The Site uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience and analyze Site traffic. These include essential cookies required for basic Site operation; analytics cookies that help us understand how visitors interact with the Site; functional cookies enabling enhanced functionality and personalization; and marketing cookies that may be used to measure campaign effectiveness.
You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of the Site.
7. Third-Party Services
The Site integrates with third-party services that may collect information subject to their own privacy policies, including Kit (ConvertKit) for email management, WordPress for website hosting and content management, Google Workspace for internal data management and research operations, LinkedIn for social media engagement, and analytics platforms. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these services.
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy. Newsletter subscriber information is retained until you unsubscribe. Report download information and contact form submissions are retained for the duration of our relationship and a reasonable period thereafter. Merger tracker data drawn from public sources is retained indefinitely as part of our historical market intelligence database. When personal information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.
9. Data Security and the New York SHIELD Act
Columbus Street LLC is domiciled in and operates from New York. As a business that owns or licenses computerized data containing the private information of New York residents, we are subject to the Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act (the “SHIELD Act”), codified in New York General Business Law § 899-bb.
In accordance with the SHIELD Act, we maintain a data security program that includes reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the private information we collect. These safeguards include designating personnel to coordinate data security efforts; identifying and assessing reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks; training employees in security program practices and procedures; selecting service providers capable of maintaining appropriate safeguards and requiring those safeguards by contract; and adjusting the data security program in light of business changes or new circumstances.
In the event of a breach of the security of the system involving private information as defined under the SHIELD Act, we will notify affected individuals and the New York Attorney General, the New York Department of State, and the New York State Police in the most expedient time reasonable and consistent with the legitimate needs of law enforcement, as required by New York General Business Law § 899-aa.
No method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to use commercially reasonable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. New York General Business Law § 349 (Deceptive Practices)
Columbus Street LLC is committed to transparent and accurate representations regarding its data practices. This Privacy Policy is designed to provide you with a clear, accurate, and complete description of how we collect, use, and share your personal information, consistent with our obligations under New York General Business Law § 349, which prohibits deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any business, trade, or commerce in the State of New York.
11. New York Child Data Protection Act (NYCDPA)
The Site is a professional market intelligence platform designed for legal industry professionals, law firm leaders, and private equity sponsors. It is not directed to individuals under the age of 18 and does not knowingly collect personal information from minors. In compliance with the New York Child Data Protection Act and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), if we become aware that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe that a minor has provided us with personal information, please contact us using the information in Section 15.
12. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information; the right to opt out of marketing communications by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any email or contacting us directly; and the right to manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
12.1 California Residents
If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the CCPA/CPRA, including the right to know what personal information is collected and how it is used, the right to request deletion, and the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell personal information as defined under the CCPA/CPRA. To exercise these rights, contact us using the information in Section 15.
12.2 Other State Privacy Laws
Residents of states with comprehensive privacy legislation—including Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Texas, Oregon, Montana, and others—may have similar rights under their respective state laws. Please contact us to exercise any applicable rights.
12.3 Pending New York Privacy Legislation
As of the date of this Privacy Policy, New York does not have a comprehensive consumer privacy law comparable to the CCPA. However, the proposed New York Privacy Act is under active consideration by the New York State Legislature across multiple bill versions in the 2025–2026 session. Should such legislation be enacted, we will update this Privacy Policy to reflect any additional rights and obligations.
13. Do Not Track
Some web browsers transmit “do-not-track” signals to websites. Because there is no universally accepted standard for how to respond to these signals, we do not currently alter our data collection and use practices based upon such signals.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last Updated” date at the top indicates when the policy was most recently revised. Your continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
15. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, or wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact us at:
Columbus Street LLC (operator of MergerWatch)
Email: insights@mergerwatch.com
Website: https://mergerwatch.com/contact/