How are attorney-client communications protected?

Attorney-client communications are protected primarily through the concept of attorney-client privilege. This legal principle ensures that any communication between a lawyer and their client remains confidential and cannot be disclosed to third parties without the consent of the client. The purpose of this privilege is to encourage open and honest communication between clients and their attorneys, which is essential for effective legal representation.

Under this privilege, clients can confidently share sensitive information with their attorneys, knowing that it will be kept private. There are specific legal parameters surrounding this privilege, including that it applies to communications made for the purpose of obtaining legal advice and that the privilege belongs to the client, who can choose to waive it if they wish.

In contrast, public disclosure of records would negate the confidentiality that the attorney-client privilege is designed to uphold. Informed consent from the client can play a role in the sharing of information, but it is not the primary means of protection for attorney-client communications. Maintaining a detailed log of discussions, while potentially useful for an attorney's own records, does not inherently provide the same legal protection as the privilege itself. Overall, attorney-client privilege is the cornerstone of protecting these communications within the legal framework.