does attorney client privilege cover those who pay your legal bills

by Sally Quitzon 5 min read

When does the attorney client privilege apply to a lawyer?

Under the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the attorney-client privilege exists for a potential client. Under Togstad v. Vesely , 291 N.W.2d 686 (1980) , a non-client can claim to be a prospective client if: 1) the non-client seeks legal advice, 2) then the non-client reasonably relies on that advice as legal advice, and 3) the attorney ...

Is Everything you Tell Your Lawyer privileged?

When a legal funding company is reviewing an application or tracking the status of a case they have already invested in, they typically require important case documents and conversations with the attorney on the case. In many instances, funders do not need confidential information that is covered by attorney-client privilege.

What information is protected by the attorney-client privilege?

Jan 12, 2017 · A recent law.com story, “Decision on Attorney-Client Privilege Spooks Defense Bar,” reports that a closely divided California Supreme Court limited the protection afforded to legal bills under the attorney-client privilege when those bills are sent to government entities and sought under the state’s Public Records Act. The court ruled 4-3 that a law firm’s invoices to a …

Does attorney-client privilege apply to a conversation involving a third person?

The attorney-client privilege differs somewhat from state to state, and between state and federal court. When speaking to an attorney about a legal matter, make sure to go over the scope of the attorney-client privilege and the duty of confidentiality. The lawyer should be able to explain the specific law that applies to your situation ...

Are legal fee amounts privileged?

HIGHLIGHTS: The Supreme Court of California has held that California attorney-client privilege categorically protects attorney invoices for ongoing matters, but the degree of protection for concluded matters is substantially less certain. The court's opinion in County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors v.May 23, 2017

Are lawyer's invoices privileged?

In a much-anticipated ruling, the California Supreme Court held on December 29, 2016 that legal invoices are protected by the attorney-client privilege, and therefore, with some exceptions, need not be disclosed under the Public Records Act.Jan 5, 2017

Is billing information protected by attorney-client privilege?

The California Supreme Court held that billing invoices sent by an attorney to a public agency client are not automatically protected in their entirety by the attorney-client privilege and, therefore, portions of the invoices may be subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act (“CPRA,” Government Code ...Jan 4, 2017

What is the difference between attorney-client privilege and confidentiality?

The main difference between attorney-client privilege and attorney-client confidentiality is that the former is an evidentiary principle while the latter is an ethical principle.

Are time entries privileged?

Dates and file numbers are not privileged because they do not disclose any legal strategy or the specific content of any confidential communication and, to the extent these entries document work performed by an attorney, they do not disclose that attorney's mental impressions or conclusions, opinions, memoranda, notes ...Feb 22, 2019

Is engagement letter privileged?

Aside from being privileged, engagement letters are generally not relevant under Rule 26.May 25, 2017

Are attorney fee agreements discoverable in California?

Cal. 2014) ("[T]he attorney-client privilege generally does not preclude disclosure of fee agreements."). However, under California state law, a "written fee contract shall be deemed to be a confidential communication' that is not subject to discovery." Moriarty v.Jul 23, 2019

Are fee agreements privileged California?

The terms of a fee agreement may be protected. In California, they are protected by statute. Business & Professions Code § § 6149 and 6068.

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

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 the purpose of attorney-client privilege?

The privilege protects confidential communications between the client and the lawyer made for the purpose of obtaining or providing legal assistance, to “encourage full and frank communication . . . and thereby promote broader public interests in the observance of law and administration of justice.” United States v.Mar 16, 2017