attorney client privilege pertains to what type of information

by Joesph Bradtke PhD 4 min read

The attorney-client privilege concept pertains to the communications between you and your lawyer. The information exchange is based on your legal case and everything you say, write, and document is protected under this rule, as long as it is connected to the case at hand and all the facts surrounding it. Well, almost everything.

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.

Full Answer

What is protected by attorney client privilege?

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 to openly share information with their lawyers and to let lawyers provide effective representation.

What is the purpose of attorney client privilege?

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. Attorney-Client Relationship This privilege exists when there is an attorney-client …

Can a lawyer withhold information from a client?

Nov 09, 2018 · Attorney-client privilege is a legal privilege that enables attorneys to keep their communications with their clients secret. It’s asserted in the face of any legal demand for this information – for example, a discovery request or a demand that an attorney testify under oath.

Do I still have attorney client confidentiality?

Apr 05, 2018 · Daniel Northrop, The Attorney-Client Privilege and Information Disclosed to an Attorney with the Intention That the Attorney Draft a Document To Be Released to Third Parties: Public Policy Calls for at Least the Strictest Application of the Attorney-Client Privilege, Fordham L. Rev. 1481, 1487 (2009). Id. Id. Id. at 1488. Id. at 1489.

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What kind of conduct is covered in the 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.

What is considered privileged information in law?

Privileged Information means any information, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, including any communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memoranda and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work ...

What are some examples of privileged information?

Examples of privileged communication recognized in many legal jurisdictions include:Attorney-client privilege, involving private conversations between lawyers and those they represent.Spousal conversations, as in the case where one spouse cannot be compelled to testify against another.More items...•Mar 25, 2019

What is covered by legal privilege?

Legal advice privilege covers confidential communications between a client and its lawyers, whereby legal advice is given or sought. Privilege attaches to all material forming the lawyer-client communications, even if those documents do not expressly seek or convey legal advice.

What are the types of privileges?

White Privilege.Heterosexual Privilege.Religious Privilege.Socio-economic Privilege.Gender Privilege.Able-bodied Privilege.Cisgendered Privilege.Colorism.More items...

What is privileged and confidential?

Privileged and confidential communication is the interaction between two parties having a legally protected, private relationship. ... The party receiving privileged information must keep it private and confidential, unless the discloser waives the privilege.

What are the 3 main privileged communications?

The established privileged communications are those between wife and husband, clergy and communicant, psychotherapist and patient, physician and patient, and attorney and client. These relationships are protected for various reasons.

What are privileged conversations?

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 classified as 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.

Do lawyers have client confidentiality?

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.

What does privilege mean in law?

A privilege is a legal rule that protects communications within certain relationships from compelled disclosure in a court proceeding. One such privilege, which is of long standing and applicable in all legal settings, is the attorney-client privilege.

What type of material is subject to legal privilege?

Legal advice privilege – this protects confidential communications, and evidence of those communications, between a lawyer and his client, but not communications with third parties, provided that the communications are for the dominant purpose of seeking and receiving legal advice in a relevant legal context.Oct 21, 2020

Definition

Attorney-client privilege refers to a legal privilege that works to keep confidential communications between an attorney and his or her client secret.

Further Reading

For more on the attorney-client privilege, see this Cornell Law Review article, this Fordham Law Review article, and this Pepperdine Law Review article .

Why is attorney-client privilege important?

The reason for instituting attorney-client privilege is not only to embolden clients to seek legal advice, but “to encourage full and frank communication between attorneys and their clients”.

What is counsel privilege?

Counsel (legal professional). The attorney-client privilege protects the confidentiality of communications you as a client made to your counsel (a lawyer), including anyone who assists your attorney in your legal representation. Counsel (legal advice). All the communications that are exchanged between you as a client and your attorney has to be ...

What is legal counsel?

Counsel (legal advice). All the communications that are exchanged between you as a client and your attorney has to be for the sole purpose of seeking (providing) legal counsel. The attorney has to act officially as a lawyer, and not as a business consultant or a friend.

Is a company a client?

A company could be a client as well. In that case the attorney-client privilege protects the communications between the employees and company attorneys (they could be “in-house” lawyers or “outside” legal counselors at a law firm.) Confidentiality. All communication has to be confidential, which means that it is valid only between you ...

What is the exception to the rule of law?

The exception occurs if you as a client show clear intent to commit a crime in the future. Your attorney might be under obligations to reveal your intention to commit said fraud or crime, especially if there is a possibility of someone getting seriously hurt as a result of your planned actions. Third-parties.

Can an attorney testify against you?

Your attorney is also forbidden from using confidential information against you or for their own benefit or purpose. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but in most cases your attorney cannot volunteer to testify about the information you shared with them, nor can they be forced by the courts to do so.

What is attorney client privilege in Florida?

For the purpose of attorney-client privilege, Florida law defines a lawyer as any person who is authorized, or who you believe is authorized, to practice law in any state or nation. A client can be an individual, but Florida law may also consider as clients public officers, corporations, associations, and other public and private entities who contact lawyers and enlist their services. Additionally:

Is attorney-client privilege interchangeable?

The most important thing to understand is attorney-client privilege and confidentiality are not interchangeable terms. Confidentiality is the attorney’s ethical duty, and attorney-client privilege is controlled by rules of evidence.

What is attorney client privilege?

Attorney-client privilege is a legal privilege that enables attorneys to keep their communications with their clients secret. It’s asserted in the face of any legal demand for this information – for example, a discovery request or a demand that an attorney testify under oath.

What is the confidentiality rule for an attorney?

The rule applies to confidential communications between an attorney and their client when it is made for the purpose of providing and receiving legal advice, and not in support of fraud or a crime. As a fictional example, John meets with his attorney to get legal advice.

What does "reasonably certain" mean?

to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm. to prevent a client’s crime or fraud that is “reasonably certain” to substantially injure another’s property or finances. to “prevent, mitigate, or rectify” a “reasonably certain” substantial property or financial injury to another. to obtain ethics advice.

What does "change of employment" mean?

to establish a claim or defense on behalf of the lawyer. to comply with other law or a court order. to identify and resolve conflicts of interest related to a lawyer’s change of employment.

What is DSC attorney?

DSC Attorneys is a Cape Town law firm that specialises in personal injury law. We believe in every client’s right to ethical, experienced legal representation and access to justice. Contact us for the best legal support and representation, on a no win, no fee basis.

Is attorney-client privilege absolute?

Whereas attorney-client privilege is absolute, specific exceptions apply to the duty of confidentiality. For example, an attorney may be permitted or required to disclose a client’s confidential information, without the client’s consent, for these purposes: to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm.

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What Is Attorney-Client Privilege?

  • Attorney-client privilege refers to a legal privilege that works to keep confidential communications between an attorney and his or her client secret. This is the name given to the common law concept of legal professional privilege in the United States. The privilege is a client’s right to refuse to disclose, and to prevent others from disclosing confidential communications between …
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Purpose of Attorney-Client Privilege

  • The purpose of the attorney-client privilege is to promote open and frank communications between clients and their lawyers. To represent a client effectively, lawyers must have access to all relevant information concerning the representation. If a client knows that certain information will be kept secret, he or she may be more willing to divulge that information to the lawyer. The p…
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What’s Covered Under Attorney Client Privilege?

  • The attorney-client privilege in the United States is often defined by reference to the 5 Cs: (1) a Communication (2) made in Confidence (3) between a Client (4) and Counsel (5) for the purpose of seeking or providing legal Counsel or advice. 1. All types of communications or exchanges between a client and attorney may be covered by the attorney-client privilege. This may include …
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Attorney Client Privilege Exceptions

  • Some of the most common exceptions to the privilege include: 1. Death of a client. The privilege may be breached upon the death of a testator-client if litigation ensues between the decedent’s heirs, legatees or other parties claiming under the deceased client. 2. Fiduciary Duty . A corporation’s right to assert the attorney-client privilege is not absolute. An exception to the privi…
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Examples of Attorney-Client Privilege

  • Following are some examples of attorney-client privilege. 1. A client is seeking advice from a lawyer for a business transactionand discloses confidential information about their business operations. 2. A client disclosing information to his or her attorney about a past crime that he or she committed, and the communication was done in private. 3. A client disclosing to the attorne…
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What Happens When Attorney-Client Privilege Is Broken?

  • Specific sanctions may be imposed on an attorney who reveals confidential communications, but where there is the mere potential for disclosure, disqualification motions are common. These motions typically claim that a lawyer or firm should be disqualified due to the fact that the lawyer or a member of his firm had previously represented the party desiring disqualification. While dis…
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What Is Attorney-Client Privilege?

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The concept of attorney-client privilege is one of the most fundamental and powerful legal concepts in American jurisprudence, as it protects the confidentiality of communication between attorneys and their clients. Anything you discuss with your lawyer that pertains to a legal matter or case is confidential, and your attorn…
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How Does Attorney-Client Privilege Work?

  • In order for the attorney-client privilege to exist, there should be proof of the 5 Cs: 1. Communication. Almost all types of communication between you and your attorney are covered by the attorney-client privilege. This includes your oral statements, written exchanges, and all electronic communications. 2. Client. You as a client are the one communicating with your attor…
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Attorney-Client Privilege Exceptions

  • The attorney-client privilege concept pertains to the communications between you and your lawyer. The information exchange is based on your legal case and everything you say, write, and document is protected under this rule, as long as it is connected to the case at hand and all the facts surrounding it. Well, almost everything. There are a few exceptions where the attorney-clie…
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Summary

  • In general, any information you share with your attorney which pertains to your legal issues will be covered by attorney-client privilege, even if you don’t end up hiring that lawyer to represent you. You have the right to ask questions and seek legal help without fearing that you might endanger yourself and jeopardize your legal standing. But in order to have a peace of mind, you should ad…
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Attorney-Client Privilege According to Florida Statutes

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For the purpose of attorney-client privilege, Florida law defines a lawyer as any person who is authorized, or who you believe is authorized, to practice law in any state or nation. A client can be an individual, but Florida law may also consider as clients public officers, corporations, associations, and other public and private ent…
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Exceptions to Attorney-Client Privilege

  • Under Florida law, no attorney-client privilege exists under the following conditions: 1. A client sought out or obtained legal services to enable or help anyone commit or plan to commit crime or fraud. 2. Communication pertains to an issue between parties involving the same deceased client. 3. Communication pertains to a breach of duty by the attorney to the client or by the client to th…
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Attorney-Client Privilege vs. Duty of Confidentiality

  • The most important thing to understand is attorney-client privilege and confidentiality are not interchangeable terms. Confidentiality is the attorney’s ethical duty, and attorney-client privilege is controlled by rules of evidence. All state bars have a version of the Model Rules of Professional Conductestablished by the American Bar Association (ABA). Lawyers in the United States must …
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Waiving Your Privilege

  • Attorney-client privilege may be waived. You may intentionally choose to do so if confidential communication shared with your lawyer might help your case. However, beware that privilege can also be waived unintentionally, such as when a client discusses their case with friends, family, or other third parties, or they put information about themselves and their case online using social …
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Trust in Our Experienced St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorneys

  • Regardless of the type of case you may be facing, getting charged with a crime is inherently stressful. Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney will help you have the best possible chance for a dismissal or reduction in charges and/or penalties. Even knowing that, it can still be scary and intimidating to share everything about your case with a lawyer. Ask your lawyer to expl…
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