Attorney Client Privilege With In House Counsel In Franklin
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Therefore, controversy has emerged over the scope of the attorney–client privilege between the counsel and the president and vice president, namely with John Dean of Watergate notoriety. It is clear, however, that the privilege does not apply in strictly personal matters.
Congressional investigations are distinct from other government investigations in meaningful ways. A key distinguishing factor is the treatment of the attorney-client privilege, a common law privilege that Congress generally does not recognize.
Crime or Fraud Exception. If a client seeks advice from an attorney to assist with the furtherance of a crime or fraud or the post-commission concealment of the crime or fraud, then the communication is not privileged.
The White House Counsel advises the President on all legal issues concerning the Office of the President and the White House.
Consequently, the plaintiff had the right to depose the attorney despite his in-house status. Thus, knowing that the privilege applies to in-house counsel, the inquiry shifts to the scope of the privilege.
Although historically courts held there was no privilege, more recently courts—including one California court—have concluded that communications between attorneys and their firm's in-house counsel are privileged.
If the purpose is legal advice, the communication is privileged if it's confidential and between lawyer and client. On the other hand, if the lawyer is acting as a business negotiator or advisor, the communication probably is not privileged. An in-house lawyer fulfills multiple roles!
For those lawyers who are employees of one company, they are not considered to have a private practice or a public practice. These lawyers are called “in-house counsel.” That means they are directly employed by one client and are typically prevented from being able to take on any other clients.
Your attorney is required by law to refuse to divulge the contents of client communications if anyone asks them to, citing "attorney-client privilege:" You have the right to forbid your attorney (along with any relevant third parties) from disclosing information designated as confidential.
Confidential In-House Counsel attorney-client communications are deemed privileged unless the “dominant purpose” was something other than legal advice. Costco Wholesale Corp. v. Super.