The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Using a wealth of concrete examples, attorney David Keyko explores everyday corporate communications that may raise questions with respect to the attorney-client and attorney-work-product privileges, particularly for in-house counsel. Among the broad range of topics covered are various forms of communication, business versus legal advice, and when the involvement of third parties constitutes a waiver of the privilege.

Protecting the Privileges on a Daily Basis

    I. Introduction

        A. Pop Quiz

        B. Pop Quiz Answer

        C. Historical Perspective

        D. Definitions

        E. Not a Simple Matter

        F. Jurisdictional Variations
    II. The Rules

        A. Inside-Counsel Issues

        B. Inside vs. Outside Counsel

        C. Strategies for Working With Judges
    III. Document 1: Memo From General Counsel

        A. Addressees

        B. Titles

        C. Lawyer as Negotiator

        D. Lawyer’s Report

        E. Third-Party Report
    IV. Document 2: Corporate Board Minutes

        A. Settlement Negotiations

        B. Inadvertent Disclosure

        C. Termination and Audit
    V. Document 3: Internal E-mail

        A. E-mail Recipients

        B. Attorney-Client Communication

        C. Document Destruction
    VI. Document 4: Memo Between Counsel

    VII. Document 5: Memo Regarding Litigation

        A. Internal Report

        B. Joint-Litigant Privilege

        C. Third-Party Conversations

        D. Cell Phone Conversations

        E. International Issues, Tax Advice

        F. Negotiations and Settlement Discussions

        G. In-House Counsel as Witness
    VIII. Document 6: Retention Memo

        A. Disseminating Information

        B. Advice to Fiduciaries
    IX. Document 7: Internal E-mail

        A. Exchanging Information

        B. Waiver of Attorneys’ Fees

        C. Pre-emptive Settlement Offer
    X. Document 8: Faxed Message

    XI. Document 9: Internal E-mail

    XII. Document 10: Internal Report

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