When it comes to litigation, communicating openly with your attorney is an important part of receiving serviceable legal advice. That’s why attorney-client privilege remains such a crucial aspect of the relationship between attorneys and their clients. As one of Hudson Valley’s oldest law firms, MacVean, Lewis, Sherwin & McDermott, P.C. can help you make sense of this long-standing legal concept thanks to 130 years of experience. Whether you are seeking a personal injury attorney, divorce lawyer, or a criminal law attorney, MacVean, Lewis, Sherwin & McDermott, P.C. can help guide you through the legal system with care and expertise.

Understanding the attorney-client relationship is essential to ensuring the best possible results for your case. Attorney-client privilege is a huge component of this union, as this concept protects communication conveyed by a client to a criminal law attorney, personal injury attorney, or any other kind of lawyer in an attempt to gain quality legal guidance. Both the client and attorney must enter into a formal agreement before attorney-client privilege can be claimed. This generally involves documentation such as a fee agreement or engagement letter, or in some cases an oral agreement will suffice. However, establishing when such a relationship actually begins can be a matter of debate.

In addition, attorney-client privilege can also have its limitations. For instance, should the same divorce or personal injury attorney represent two separate parties, attorney-client privilege cannot be asserted by either client against the other during subsequent legal proceedings. Other instances that can override attorney-client privilege include the death of a client, advice sought from a criminal law attorney in an attempt to commit a crime, and cases involving the fiduciary duty to shareholders that subverts a corporation’s relationship with legal counsel.

In addition to providing guidance on matters of corporate and elder law, MacVean, Lewis, Sherwin & McDermott, P.C. can help Hudson Valley residents in cases which require a criminal law attorney, divorce lawyer, or a personal injury attorney. Schedule your consultation today by calling (845) 343-3000, or visit their website to learn all that this reputable law firm can do for you.