4 ms·

According to the lawyer across the table, privilege starts with the first conversation.

• edouard1234567 14y ago
  Interesting BUT what if the lawyer has a conflict of interest and learns that during the initial conversation before committing to representing you. Does that mean he/she cannot use the information you provided to defend the interest he currently represents assuming he refused to represent you?
  • mattzito 14y ago
    Yes. The lawyer is obligated to keep that information confidential, unless you explicity release confidentiality. As soon as the lawyer realizes there's a conflict, which will often be fairly obvious, they're supposed to stop and explain the situation to whatever degree appropriate.
• smartwater 14y ago
  In Massachusetts it starts when you pay any amount of money.
  • gojomo 14y ago
    Do you have a reference? This page of the Massachusetts Bar, like other more general discussions, suggests it also applies for any 'potential' or 'prospective' client: http://www.massbar.org/publications/massachusetts-law-review/2003/v87-n4/the-attorney-client-privilege-in http://www.massbar.org/publications/massachusetts-law-review...
• cryofan 14y ago
  agreed. This is blackletter law and is taught early on in law school