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Office of General Counsel

Attorney-Client Privilege

The attorney-client privilege preserves the confidentiality of communications between lawyers and their clients.  Communications, whether they are oral, written or electronic, that SIU faculty, staff, and employees have with SIU attorneys for the purpose of seeking legal advice, are protected by the attorney-client privilege. For privilege to exist the communication must be to, from, or with the General Counsel for the purpose of requesting or receiving legal advice.

 

Basic Guidelines to Protect the Attorney-Client Privilege 

  1. If you are aware of a legal matter in which counsel is involved, do not speak to anyone other than your supervisor about it unless you have to do so as part of your regular job.
  2. Do not forward e-mails, documents, voicemails, or any other communication from university counsel, or from outside counsel retained by the university, about that legal matter unless the attorney representing the university said it was ok.
  3. Do not discuss pending legal matters or investigations with people outside of the university, especially contractors, unless this is part of your job and you’ve been authorized to do so by your supervisor or by university counsel.
  4. When in doubt, ask before you disclose or discuss.