my employee was present when i spoke with my lawyer does this violate attorney client privilege

by Dr. Lauryn Padberg IV 8 min read

Thus, asking an attorney about investment advice or other non-legal issues is NOT privileged. Moreover, having a discussion (or email exchange) with an attorney, where others are present (or included) is NOT privileged. Since in-house counsel often act as part of an executive team, they may be providing more than just legal advice.

The general rule is that, by allowing a third party to be present for a lawyer-client conversation, the defendant waives the privilege. That generally means that the prosecution can force the third party to reveal the contents of the conversation.

Full Answer

Can a client violate the attorney-client privilege by speaking to someone else?

Apr 23, 2018 · Monday, April 23, 2018. Following the FBI’s recent raid of the office and home of Michael Cohen the bounds of the attorney-client privilege have become a topic of debate and discussion. During ...

Is Everything you Tell Your Lawyer privileged?

But a client who speaks to a lawyer in public wouldn't be able to prevent someone who overheard the conversation from testifying about it. Similarly, a client can forfeit the attorney-client privilege by repeating a conversation with an attorney to someone else, or by having a third person present during a conversation with the lawyer. No matter who hears or learns about a communication, …

Are communications between counsel and former employees protected by attorney-client privilege?

In short, the attorney-client privilege applied. (Stroh v. Gen. Motors Corp., 213 A.D.2d 267 (1995).) Consult a Lawyer. The law on the attorney-client privilege is complex and can vary in subtle ways from one state to another. That's why you should rely on a lawyer for advice—and a full explanation of the law.

Are discussions of previous acts subject to the attorney-client privilege?

Oct 01, 2015 · In Upjohn Co. v. United States, 449 U.S. 383 (1981) the Supreme Court held that the attorney-client privilege applies to a corporation's attorney's communications with corporate employees: 1) when a communication is made to the corporation's counsel that is acting in their capacity as counsel (and not as business consultants, for example); 2) at the direction of …

Are discussions with lawyers confidential?

The duty of confidentiality prevents lawyers from even informally discussing information related to their clients' cases with others. They must ordinarily keep private almost all information related to representation of the client, even if that information didn't come from the client.

Which of the following may not be protected under the attorney-client privilege?

Which of the following may not be protected under the attorney-client privilege? A client who orally confesses to a crime. Correct!

What is considered privileged communication?

privileged communication, in law, communication between persons who have a special duty of fidelity and secrecy toward each other. Communications between attorney and client are privileged and do not have to be disclosed to the court.

What is the attorney-client privilege in relation to conversations?

Attorney-client privilege refers to a legal privilege that works to keep confidential communications between an attorney and his or her client secret. The privilege is asserted in the face of a legal demand for the communications, such as a discovery request or a demand that the lawyer testify under oath.

Can a lawyer testify against his client?

In essence, attorney-client privilege is what upholds attorneys' duty of confidentiality in legal proceedings. It's a rule of evidence that prevents lawyers from testifying about the contents of their oral or written communications with clients, or from being forced to do so by an opposing legal team.Nov 9, 2018

Are emails between lawyers discoverable?

Emails are discoverable, unless they are subject to the Attorney Client or Work Product Privilege. It is important to note that forwarding a privileged email to a party outside of the attorney client relationship will likely result in the waiver of the privilege.Jul 9, 2018

What are the two types of privileged communication?

Relationships between priests and their congregants are considered privileged communication. There are two types of husband-wife privileges — spousal immunity and marital communication.Mar 29, 2022

What are the grounds under privileged communication rule?

What Is Privileged Communication? Privileged communication is an interaction between two parties in which the law recognizes a private, protected relationship. Whatever is communicated between the two parties must remain confidential, and the law cannot force their disclosure.

What is breach of confidential communication mean?

What Constitutes a Breach of Confidentiality? A breach of confidentiality occurs when a patient's private information is disclosed to a third party without their consent. There are limited exceptions to this, including disclosures to state health officials and court orders requiring medical records to be produced.Nov 30, 2018

Can lawyers disclose information?

The confidentiality rule, for example, applies not only to matters communicated in confidence by the client but also to all information relating to the representation, whatever its source. A lawyer may not disclose such information except as authorized or required by the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

What information is covered by the duty of confidentiality?

In common law jurisdictions, the duty of confidentiality obliges solicitors (or attorneys) to respect the confidentiality of their clients' affairs. Information that solicitors obtain about their clients' affairs may be confidential, and must not be used for the benefit of persons not authorized by the client.

What is attorney client privilege?

The attorney-client privilege is, strictly speaking, a rule of evidence. It prevents lawyers from testifying about, and from being forced to testify about, their clients' statements. Independent of that privilege, lawyers also owe their clients a duty of confidentiality.

What is privileged attorney?

The attorney-client privilege is a rule that preserves the confidentiality of communications between lawyers and clients. Under that rule, attorneys may not divulge their clients' secrets, nor may others force them to. The purpose of the privilege is to encourage clients ...

Why is confidentiality important in law?

The duty of confidentiality prevents lawyers from even informally discussing information related to their clients' cases with others. They must keep private almost all information related to representation of the client, even if that information didn't come from the client.

Is attorney client privilege inadmissible?

If someone were to surreptitiously record the conversation, that recording would probably be inadmissible in court.

Can a client forfeit the attorney-client privilege?

No matter who hears or learns about a communication, however, the lawyer typically remains obligated not to repeat it.

Can a lawyer disclose previous acts?

If, for example, if a client tells his lawyer that he robbed a bank or lied about assets during a divorce, the lawyer probably can't disclose the information.

Can an attorney disclose client secrets?

Under that rule, attorneys may not divulge their clients' secrets, nor may others force them to. The purpose of the privilege is to encourage clients to openly share information with their lawyers and to let lawyers provide effective representation.

What happens when a third person is present in court?

Despite the general rule, there's an exception in most states: In general, when a third person is present, the attorney-client privilege continues to apply if that third person is there in order to aid the cause. Put more specifically, the third person must be present while fulfilling a role that furthers the defendant's legal representation. The person might be part of the lawyer's staff, an outside party with relevant expertise (for instance, an investigator), an interpreter, or even a relative who acts in an advisory role.

Can a defendant expect confidentiality?

A defendant might very well expect confidentiality when talking with a lawyer in front of a loved one. And it may be unlikely that the prosecution ever finds out about the meeting or calls the loved one to testify. But, if the prosecution tries to force a friend or loved one to the witness stand, then the role that this person played becomes crucial.

Is the internet secure?

The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties. The attorney-client privilege prevents people from revealing confidential communications between defendants and their lawyers. (See The Attorney-Client Privilege .) But what happens when a third person is in ...

What is attorney-client privilege?

The attorney-client privilege protects communications: 1) between a client and his or her attorney; 2) that are intended to be, and in fact were, kept confidential; 3) for the purpose of obtaining or providing legal advice. United States v.

Should attorneys think about attorney-client privilege?

Overall, attorneys should think actively and intentionally about the attorney-client privilege and its application to their practice. With each of the above practice points in mind, attorneys can predictably and successfully draw a clear line between privileged and discoverable communications.

Is a court case confidential?

Keep in mind, if a court case is involved, the case is public record as are any of the pleadings (with some exceptions). So, much of your case is NOT confidential. Attorneys, even inexperienced ones, are pretty good about drawing the line between confidential and non-confidential. The problem is, most laypeople think more info is confidential than really is.

Can a lawyer discuss client confidences?

Lawyers are not allowed to discuss client's confidences. Lawyers are certainly allowed to discuss the pendency of interesting cases, much like physicians discuss difficult surgeries or new outbreaks. Unless you have evidence the lawyer discussed your narration he not only did nothing wrong but was probably zealously looking for ways to help you. You're going to have to trust somebody, sometime.