when does attorney client privilege apply to non lawyer communications

by Prof. Derrick Douglas 5 min read

1.4.
“You can assert the lawyer-client privilege against anyone who is privy to confidential communications with your attorney—even if that person was not a party to the attorney-client relationship.

Are communications between lawyers privileged?

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

What type of communications are protected by attorney-client privilege?

Virtually all types of communications or exchanges between a client and attorney may be covered by the attorney-client privilege, including oral communications and documentary communications like emails, letters, or even text messages. The communication must be confidential.

Are emails subject to attorney-client privilege?

Emailed correspondence between attorney and client is privileged. However, the client can take some actions which will waive this attorney client privilege.

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.

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.

Can communications between an accountant and a client be protected under attorney-client privilege?

Generally, attorney-client privilege protects only a communication that is (1) between a client and the attorney, (2) made in confidence, and (3) made for the purpose of securing legal advice. Communications between a taxpayer and a nonlawyer accountant acting alone are not covered by the attorney-client privilege.

Are communications between clients privileged?

Evidence Code 954 is the California statute that makes communications between attorneys and their clients privileged and confidential. This is what is known as the “lawyer-client privilege” (or the “attorney-client privilege”).

Does copying an attorney on an email make it privileged?

Many judges caution that an employee who merely copies an in-house attorney on an email to a non-lawyer colleague does not automatically render the email privileged. Courts scrutinize the putatively privileged communication to determine whether its primary purpose was to secure or dispense legal advice.

Is email a privileged communication?

First, the purpose of the communication must be to seek or obtain legal advice. Thus, for example, an email is not privileged merely because counsel is copied on an email.

What are the exceptions to privileged communication?

Common exceptions include the following: A counselor formally reporting to or consulting with administrative supervisors, colleagues or supervisors who share professional responsibility (i.e. in this instance all recipients of such information are similarly bound to regard the communication as privileged);

What is not considered privileged communication?

A communication is not confidential, and therefore not privileged, if it is overheard by a third party who is not an agent of the listener. Agents include secretaries and other employees of the listener.

What information is exempt from privileged communications?

a written consent. List 3 examples of information that is exempt by law and not considered to be privileged communications. births and death, injuries caused by violence =, and drug abuse. Who has ownership of health care records?