Attorney–client privilege and communications

Attorney–client privilege is a legal regime, not etiquette. For a private client it protects family, reputation and capital — and is often breached by everyday messaging habits.

Information relating to legal assistance is protected by law. That includes mandate content, strategy and many materials sent to counsel.

Forwarding strategy to an assistant on a corporate mailbox or a large family chat expands the circle of disclosure and weakens discretion.

Practical rules: separate channels for sensitive matters; do not mix trial strategy with staff-wide threads; voice and files only in agreed secure contours.

If search or a data request arrives, do not improvise — call counsel. Privilege and procedural guarantees work together with correct behaviour on the ground.

Family offices and personal staff are frequent weak links — access rules should match financial reporting discipline.