A question for legal minds

[RDANGELO]

It has recently been reported that four aides that were working for Sec. Clinton in regard to the e-mails, are all using the same lawyer. Would it be correct to assume, that if Hillary was providing the legal services to the four individuals, that she would be getting reports from the lawyer on what was going on in the interviews with them. Would that be legal?

[Politicalboi]

1. It depends what the meaning of "same" is

Of course the Clinton's are above the law. I don't have a legal mind, but I do know the Clinton's lie and cheat.

[Rebkeh]

2. Maybe, no idea

I've no legal mind but my guess is any lawyer would have to have some level of clearance, to be highly vetted to deal with these issues. There may only be so many of them around.

Otoh, that's a good point.

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

3. Clinton herself is a lawyer...

....her lawyer is, of course, a lawyer.

Lawyers can be disbarred for such chicanery.

Oh, wait, that's right...

This is Clinton.

Never mind.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. if she is paying, then yes

I haven't heard that she is tho

[DirkGently]

5. Attorney/ client privilege applies regardless. Where it applies.

No matter who's paying; no matter how many clients. Each client's communications with counsel are privileged and confidential. At least in every instance I'm aware of. Maybe D.C. has some exotic notion of privilege that works differently.

That said, privilege is about communications between an attorney and a client and no one else. In fact, bringing in any third party destroys the privilege.

Law enforcement can tell one witness what another witness said if they so choose, unless there is some other agreement in place to prevent that.

[HereSince1628]

6. I think it's safe to say that even if they had different att'ys they be trying to share

what they know and trying to move toward a common defense.

Obviously the herd calms down for a while when one Gnu is being eaten by the lions, but shared defense is better than having others suggesting you look like an entre'

[BernieforPres2016]

7. I'm not an attorney but representing 4 clients in the same case has conflict of interest

written all over it and the attorney could easily put himself or herself in a position where he or she should resign.

Here's something I found on the American Bar Association website that goes into all kinds of situations, like an attorney representing multiple defendants (in this case just potential witnesses) in the same case and representing one or more defendants whose legal fees are paid for by a third party.

http://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_7_conflict_of_interest_current_clients/comment_on_rule_1_7.html

Here's a great scene from my favorite TV show of all time, The Wire, on what can happen when one attorney is trying to represent 2 clients:

[Gothmog]

8. No your analysis is wrong

It does not matter who pays the lawyer, the lawyer owes the privilege to the client