Q&A
Attorney-client privilege and confidentiality between Law Department and City Council
0:09:22
·
54 sec
Speaker Adrienne E. Adams questions Corporation Counsel nominee Muriel Goode-Trufant about the Law Department's ethical obligations regarding attorney-client privilege and confidentiality when representing the City Council. Goode-Trufant confirms the department's commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
- Goode-Trufant affirms the Law Department's ethical obligation to maintain attorney-client privilege with the Council
- She states that consultations with the Council are treated on a separate line of confidentiality from other clients
- The exchange establishes the importance of protecting sensitive information in the Law Department's interactions with the Council
Adrienne E. Adams
0:09:22
Thank you very much, mister chair.
0:09:23
Welcome again.
0:09:24
It's wonderful to see you.
0:09:27
The, law department attorneys frequently represent the counsel in litigation.
0:09:33
Law department attorneys also often represent that they're providing legal advice to the council during the bill drafting process.
0:09:42
In both instances, the law department comes into possession of sensitive information that may harm the council's interests if publicly disclosed or if used against the council in a court proceeding.
0:09:55
Do law department attorneys have an ethical obligation to maintain attorney client privilege and confidentiality with respect to information they receive from the council in the course of providing legal advice to the council?
Muriel Goode-Trufant
0:10:07
Absolutely.
0:10:08
And we treat those consultations on a separate line of confidentiality from other clients.
