California Law: Attorney Billing Records Protected By Attorney-Client Privilege

Allison Martin Rhodes is a Partner in Holland & Knight's Portland office Craig Weinstein is an Associate in Holland & Knight's Los Angeles office

A Closer Look at County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors v. Superior Court (ACLU of Southern California)

HIGHLIGHTS:

This is the first clear holding in California that protects invoices from disclosure under the attorney-client privilege because attorney invoices are confidential communications between attorney and client. California attorney-client privilege protects the transmission of confidential communications between attorney and client whether or not a particular communication contains legal opinion or advice to the client. In an important new decision, the California Court of Appeal held in County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors v. Superior Court (ACLU of Southern California)1 that attorney invoices are confidential in nature and are therefore protected...