Attorney-client privilege extends to intended documents that weren't delivered. For example, if you mail your attorney relevant documents that get lost in the mail, the contents are still covered under attorney-client privilege.
For publicly listed companies in the U.S., members of the board of directors are elected by shareholders at the annual meeting. Board candidates can be nominated by the board's nominating committee or by investors seeking to change a board's membership and policies.
Instead, board minutes, or portions of board minutes, can be privileged under US law when they capture legal advice rendered either by in-house lawyers or external lawyers or discussions of ongoing litigation. Board participants should be aware of the potential for a waiver of the privilege.
Email Is Discoverable in Litigation Including legal counsel in board communications does not protect emails from discovery. A communication is privileged only if the dominant purpose of the communication is to further the objectives of the attorney-client relationship. (2022 Ranch LLC v. Superior Court (2003) 113 Cal.
A lawyer serving as an outside director has the same duty of care as any other outside director, and the same exposure to liability. The lawyer's skill and knowledge must be brought into the boardroom in the interest of the corporation.
Who Should Not Serve On A Board Of Directors? Those Who Lack Objectivity. People Who Are All Talk And No Action. Those Who Are Conflict-Averse. People Who Don't Play Well With Others. Those Who Are Greedy. People Who Are Resistant To Change. People Who Are Not Team Players. People Who Don't Believe in the Mission.
Lawyers with a broad skill-set should not be discounted as potential non-executive directors. There is room for lawyers in this role, but only those lawyers who have all the skills that the board is looking for.
Who Should Not Serve On A Board Of Directors? Those Who Lack Objectivity. People Who Are All Talk And No Action. Those Who Are Conflict-Averse. People Who Don't Play Well With Others. Those Who Are Greedy. People Who Are Resistant To Change. People Who Are Not Team Players. People Who Don't Believe in the Mission.
There are two major exceptions to the lawyer-client privilege under the California Evidence Code, as discussed below. 2.1. Crime or fraud. 2.2. Preventing death or substantial physical harm.