Bill works for the law firm of Matheson & Gilbert, which mainly focuses on commercial transactions and litigation. Bill, who was hired only one month earlier, has been assigned to work on the Miller lawsuit. Sandra Jackson, a junior partner in the firm, is the primary attorney on the Miller case, but Bill is aware that George Wilson at the Lewiston firm is co-counsel on the case. Bill gets a telephone call from Jill, who states she is a paralegal at the Lewiston firm. Jill then says that George Wilson would like a copy of the most recent draft of a motion that Sandra is working on in the Miller case and asks that Bill fax or e-mail a copy. Bill does not know Jill and has never communicated with anyone at the Lewiston firm. Can Bill fax or e-mail a copy of the draft without Sandra's permission?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Yes, because Bill knows George Wilson is co-counsel on the case, but as a recently hired employee, could also politely check with Sandra. Bill can fax or e-mail the draft without Sandra's permission because Bill knows George Wilson is co-counsel on the case. Generally, all information regarding a case can be shared between co-counsel working on the same case. As a new employee, however, Bill may not be familiar with Wilson's role in the case, so Bill could choose to check with Sandra.

Bill Works for the Law Firm of Matheson & Gilbert