Certified Legal Professional (CLP) Practice Exam

Is the communication from General Counsel to the in-house Paralegal considered privileged?

1. No, it is not privileged since it’s an internal document

2. Yes, it is privileged as it relates to ongoing legal matters

3. Pertains to client work but is not privileged

4. Yes, only if it involves direct client communication

The correct answer is: Yes, it is privileged as it relates to ongoing legal matters

The communication from General Counsel to the in-house Paralegal is considered privileged as it relates to ongoing legal matters. This is centered on the attorney-client privilege, which protects communications made in the course of seeking legal advice. The privilege covers not only direct communications between attorneys and clients but also communications within a legal team necessary for the provision of legal services. When General Counsel communicates with the in-house Paralegal about ongoing legal matters, these discussions are integral to the process of providing legal advice and support to the client. Such communications are meant to ensure that legal strategies and considerations are effectively managed and implemented, reinforcing the privileged nature of those exchanges under the law. While other options may suggest different nuances regarding privilege, it is clear that any communication relevant to legal matters – especially those that involve strategizing or providing legal services – maintains its privileged status, keeping the discussions confidential and protected from disclosure in legal settings. This underlines the importance of confidentiality within the legal framework to encourage open and honest communication about sensitive issues.