Pennsylvania Modifies Work-Product Rule

In a recent decision, the Pennsylvania Superior Court clarified the application of the attorney work-product doctrine in the context of an e-mail exchange to a third-party consultant. The decision addresses the question of whether the work-product doctrine in Pennsylvania applies to otherwise confidential communications sent to a public relations company.

In Bousamra v. Excela Health, a hospital retained an outside consultant to manage the results of peer reviewed studies regarding arterial blockages and inappropriately implanted stents.  The hospital was concerned with publicly disclosing the …

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Privilege Issues When Attorneys Consult with Attorneys

Attorneys need help too. When issues arise during an attorney-client relationship, attorneys may consult with colleagues about the representation. Some firms rely upon outside counsel to serve this function. Other firms maintain an internal team of attorneys designated to address such issues. Either practice is considered good risk management. But, the application of the attorney-client privilege to these communications is not entirely clear and may vary amongst the jurisdiction. We discussed this issue previously, here. In a recent decision, the Oregon Supreme Court held …

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