Generally speaking, the attorney-client privilege does not take hold until the parties have agreed on the representation of the client. In all but a few states, the attorneyclient privilege can protect a company's lawyer's communications with former company employees.Chapter 26 discusses privilege waiver issues involving former employees. Is the Attorney Investigator Acting in the Capacity of an Attorney? This publication is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide general information on legal matters. Edge that the attorney-client privilege extends to com- munications with former employees. In Upjohn, the Supreme Court did not fully outline how the attorneyclient privilege applies to communications with former employees. The privilege is waived if the client or attorney fails to object to the disclosure of the confidential communication in a legal proceeding. Comment. 833 (1913) (decided under former Civil Code 1910, § 5785). No distinction between advice on specific cases and day-to-day business.