Attorney Client Privilege With In House Counsel In Arizona
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The White House Counsel advises the President on all legal issues concerning the Office of the President and the White House.
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.
For example, your indictment may be a public record, but if your attorney gives you a copy of the indictment, you aren't required to disclose that you were given the document because that fact is privileged. Attorney-client privilege extends to intended documents that weren't delivered.
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.
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.
Attorney-Client Relationship In the in-house counsel context, the “client” is considered to be the legal corporate entity and not the corporation's individual officers, directors, shareholders, or employees (hereinafter referred to collectively as “employees”).
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!
That means that if a lawyer does break privilege and reveals something, it cannot be used against you. Lawyer's also have a professional duty of confidentiality. This means that, even if something doesn't fall under 'attorney-client privilege,' your lawyer cannot discuss it outside their legal team.
Unethical attorneys may breach attorney-client privilege for their own gain. If they have the chance to profit from your information or your case presents a conflict of interest for them, unbeknownst to you, they may intentionally divulge privileged information to benefit or protect themselves.
If someone listens to your lawyer's confidential communications without your consent (e.g., overhearing, illegal wiretapping), the eavesdropper is legally forbidden from divulging that personal information. That testimony will be inadmissible in court if they do so, but the eavesdropper may even face criminal charges.
