Fiduciary Exception to Attorney-Client Privilege for ERISA Plans

“This practice note explains the doctrine commonly referred to as the fiduciary exception to the attorney-client privilege. It is important for plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and their legal advisors to understand the rules regarding when the fiduciary exception doctrine can result in communications between a plan fiduciary and an attorney not to be privileged and become susceptible to being produced in litigation. This practice note also explains how the fiduciary exception doctrine has been used to try to obtain communications ordinarily protected by the attorney work product doctrine. The principles outlined in this practice note can help employee benefits counsel and their clients better understand how best to protect the privacy of their communications and how to anticipate when these communications may be open to examination by plan participants.” Continue reading.

Source: LexisNexis