GM Could Lose Attorney-Client Privilege In Ignition Lawsuits

Plaintiff attorneys are asking the court to invoke the co-called “crime fraud” exception to attorney client privilege in the ignition switch liability cases. If their request is granted, the revelations could be explosive. Attorney-client privilege, explains Peter J. Henning in the New York Times, applies when the discussion pertains to past criminal conduct, but not when it amounts to advice about future criminal conduct. The plaintiff lawyers are hoping to get discovery on work product as well as discussions between GM and its outside attorneys from King & Spalding.