Attorney-client privilege is a legal concept that protects confidential communications between a lawyer and their client. Anything you say to your lawyer in confidence cannot be disclosed to anyone else without your permission. The only exception is if you are discussing illegal activity with your lawyer.
Attorney-client privilege is paramount for small business owners because it allows them to get honest and candid legal advice without fear of that advice being used against them in court or elsewhere. This is especially important for small businesses, which may not have the resources to fight legal battles.
Here are some of the ways that attorney-client privilege can benefit small business owners:
- It allows them to get sound legal advice without fear of their competitors or other businesses using that advice against them.
- It allows them to discuss sensitive business matters with their lawyer without fear of those matters becoming public knowledge.
- It allows them to collaborate with their lawyer on legal strategies without having to worry about those strategies being disclosed to opposing counsel.
- It can help them avoid legal liability by ensuring they are getting accurate and up-to-date legal advice.
Here are some tips for small business owners to protect attorney-client privilege:
- Only discuss confidential matters with your lawyer in person or over the phone. Do not discuss confidential matters in email or text messages, as these communications can be hacked or intercepted.
- Be clear with your lawyer that you are seeking legal advice and you want your communications to be kept confidential.
- Do not disclose confidential information to anyone, including your employees, business partners, or family members.
- Keep all documents and records related to your legal matter in a safe place.
If you are a small business owner, it is essential to understand attorney-client privilege and how it can protect you. If you have any questions about this, reach out today!
