Split Eleventh Circuit Panel Holds That Local School Board’s Decisions to Remove Specific Books from the School Library Are Not Covered by Legislative Privilege

In Pen American Center, Inc. v. Bergosh, No. 25-13298 (11th Cir. Oct. 19, 2026), a 2-1 panel holds that school board members could be compelled to testify about why they determined to remove certain titles from the school library, over a legislative-privilege objection. Judge William Pryor dissents. Plaintiffs (including a free-speech advocacy group, parents inContinue reading “Split Eleventh Circuit Panel Holds That Local School Board’s Decisions to Remove Specific Books from the School Library Are Not Covered by Legislative Privilege”

Concurring Judge Urges Seventh Circuit to Revisit Spousal Testimonial Privilege as Applied to Co-Conspirators

In United States v. Diggs, No. 22-1502 (7th Cir. Sept. 5, 2023), a concurring judge in an opinion otherwise affirming a criminal conviction urges that the circuit revisit its stance on the spousal testimonial privilege as applied to alleged co-conspirators, holding that the standing circuit law was overruled by Trammel v. United States, 445 U.S.Continue reading “Concurring Judge Urges Seventh Circuit to Revisit Spousal Testimonial Privilege as Applied to Co-Conspirators”

Ninth Circuit Holds That Attorney Work-Product Protection Is Waived Only When Documents Are Exposed to Adversaries, Not to Consultants or Other Third Parties

In United States v. Sanmina Corp., No. 18-17036 (9th Cir. Aug. 7, 2020), the Ninth Circuit considers whether two memoranda by a taxpayer’s in-house counsel must be turned over to the IRS. The Ninth Circuit affirms the district court’s finding that any attorney-client privilege was waived, and remands for further review of attorney work-product protectionContinue reading “Ninth Circuit Holds That Attorney Work-Product Protection Is Waived Only When Documents Are Exposed to Adversaries, Not to Consultants or Other Third Parties”

Threats Made By Client Against Judge During Attorney-Client Communications Not Covered By Federal Attorney-Client Privilege

In United States  v.  Ivers, No. 19-1563 (8th Cir. July 23, 2020), the Eighth Circuit affirms the conviction of a defendant who allegedly made threats of violence against a federal judge. Some of the testimony admitted by the prosecution was from two lawyers assigned to represent the defendant in an insurance case by a court-basedContinue reading “Threats Made By Client Against Judge During Attorney-Client Communications Not Covered By Federal Attorney-Client Privilege”