In all but a few states, the attorneyclient privilege can protect a company's lawyer's communications with former company employees. The attorneyclient privilege is the backbone of the legal profession.It encourages the client to be open and honest with his or her attorney. Can the court abrogate the employer's privilege over the objection of the employer, and if so under what circumstances? This article explores those cases and suggests best practices for companies to follow to protect communications between employees regarding legal matters. Generally speaking, the attorney-client privilege does not take hold until the parties have agreed on the representation of the client. The attorneyclient relationship is automatically waived when a privileged communication is disclosed to a third party or a litigation adversary. The privilege to communications between a client's counsel and the client's former employees."). Chapter 26 discusses privilege waiver issues involving former employees. Because this issue had not been addressed in the courts below, the Upjohn.