SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY, L.L.P., APPELLANT, v. GIVAUDAN FLAVORS CORPORATION, APPELLEE.
No. 2009-1321
Supreme Court of Ohio
Submitted April 21, 2010-Decided September 28, 2010
127 Ohio St.3d 161, 2010-Ohio-4469
O‘DONNELL, J.
[Cite as Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P. v. Givaudan Flavors Corp., 127 Ohio St.3d 161, 2010-Ohio-4469.]
{11} Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P., appeals from a judgment of the Eighth District Court of Appeals reversing a discovery order that had compelled Givaudan Flavors Corporation to produce documents related to Squire Sanders’ representation of Givaudan and that had directed Givaudan‘s former and current general counsel to testify regarding attorney-client communications in connection
{12} The issue in this case is whether the common-law self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege, permitting an attorney to reveal attorney-client communications when necessary to establish a claim or defense on the behalf of the attorney, applies as an exception to
{13} Ohio recognizes other common-law exceptions to the attorney-client privilege. For example, as detailed below, Ohio recognizes the crime-fraud exception to prevent concealment of attorney or client wrongdoing. Similarly, in this case, recognition of the common-law self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege as part of Ohio law aids the administration of justice and is supported by decisions of other jurisdictions addressing this issue.
{14} Pursuant to the common-law self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege, an attorney should be permitted to testify concerning attorney-client communications when necessary to collect a legal fee or to defend against a charge of malpractice or other wrongdoing in litigation against a client or former client. Ohio recognizes this exception. As a result, we reverse the judgment of the court of appeals and remand the cause for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Facts and Procedural History
{15} In 2003, the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P., began to represent Givaudan Flavors Corporation in connection with litigation filed by employees and others who allegedly became ill after inhaling the butter flavoring that Givaudan produced for use on popcorn. At that time, Frederick King, then Givaudan‘s vice president for legal affairs, selected Squire Sanders to handle the litigation and generally approved payment of invoices submitted by the firm.
{16} In January 2007, Givaudan replaced King with Jane Garfinkel, naming her senior vice president and general counsel. She determined that the litigation attorneys defending the “butter flavor” litigation lacked sufficient qualification, experience, or expertise in pulmonary toxic tort litigation, and she thought that Squire Sanders had inadequately handled the defense, prolonging the litigation and generating excessive legal fees. Her deposition testimony revealed that she decided not to submit Squire Sanders’ invoices for payment out of her concern that they showed a pattern of dishonesty, inaccuracy, and incompleteness. In May 2007, she terminated Squire Sanders without paying any of the outstanding invoices for legal services rendered by Squire Sanders.
{18} Through discovery, Squire Sanders sought production of documents related to its representation of Givaudan, including its budgeting and staffing of the litigation, trial strategy, handling of witnesses, and Givaudan‘s allegation that it failed to pursue opportunities for settlement; it also requested documents concerning Givaudan‘s decision to terminate its representation. Givaudan objected, asserting that the law firm sought documents protected by the attorney-client privilege and the work-product doctrine.
{19} Further, when Squire Sanders deposed King and Garfinkel, Givaudan asserted attorney-client privilege and the work-product doctrine to prevent either King or Garfinkel from answering questions. Givaudan objected when counsel for Squire Sanders asked King about the firm‘s staffing of the case, the resources the firm committed to the litigation, the strategy it pursued in defending Givaudan, and the adequacy of the firm‘s trial preparation. Givaudan similarly asserted attorney-client privilege to prohibit Garfinkel from answering questions about how she had formed her view that the Squire Sanders litigation team lacked qualified leadership and experienced attorneys, that it had inadequately prepared for trial and performed unauthorized work, and that Givaudan should retain different outside counsel. Givaudan further invoked the attorney-client privilege and the work-product doctrine to prevent Squire Sanders from having an independent expert review its billing invoices and other documents in its effort to establish the reasonable value of the legal services it rendered to Givaudan.
{110} Squire Sanders moved to compel the production of documents and testimony from both King and Garfinkel, relying on the self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege and the work-product doctrine. The trial court granted the motion, compelling Givaudan to produce the documents that Squire Sanders had requested and directing King and Garfinkel to answer questions related to the Givaudan/Squire Sanders relationship. The court also permitted Squire Sanders to use documents already in its possession relative to the billing dispute.
{111} Givaudan appealed the trial court‘s discovery order to the Eighth District Court of Appeals. The appellate court reversed the trial court, holding that
{12} Squire Sanders appealed that decision to this court, contending that the common-law self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege is recognized both in American jurisprudence and in Ohio law and is incorporated into the attorney-client privilege codified in
{13} By contrast, Givaudan argues that the attorney-client privilege provided in
{114} Separately, Givaudan in its argument requests this court to stay the fee-dispute lawsuit until the butter-flavoring litigation has concluded, because revealing its confidences would jeopardize its defense in that case. However, the court of appeals upheld the trial court‘s denial of a stay on the grounds that the denial was not a final, appealable order and that the trial court‘s order did not constitute an abuse of discretion. Givaudan did not cross-appeal to challenge the court of appeals’ decision in this regard and therefore this issue is not before us for review. See Kostelnik v. Helper, 96 Ohio St.3d 1, 2002-Ohio-2985, 770 N.E.2d 58,
{15} Thus, the central issue in this case is whether Ohio recognizes the self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege permitting an attorney to testify concerning attorney-client communications to establish a claim or defense on behalf of the attorney in connection with litigation against a client or a former client.
The Attorney-Client Privilege
{16} “The attorney-client privilege is one of the oldest recognized privileges for confidential communications.” Swidler & Berlin v. United States (1998), 524 U.S. 399, 403, 118 S.Ct. 2081, 141 L.Ed.2d 379. As we explained in State ex rel. Leslie v. Ohio Hous. Fin. Agency, 105 Ohio St.3d 261, 2005-Ohio-1508, 824 N.E.2d 990, “‘Its purpose is to encourage full and frank communication between attorneys and their clients and thereby promote broader public interests in the observance of law and administration of justice. The privilege recognizes that sound legal advice or advocacy serves the public ends and that such advice or advocacy depends upon the lawyer‘s being fully informed by the client.’ Upjohn Co. v. United States (1981), 449 U.S. 383, 389, 101 S.Ct. 677, 66 L.Ed.2d 584; Cargotec, Inc. v. Westchester Fire Ins. Co., 155 Ohio App.3d 653, 2003-Ohio-7257, 802 N.E.2d 732, ¶ 7. ‘[B]y protecting client communications designed to obtain legal advice or assistance, the client will be more candid and will disclose all relevant information to his attorney, even potentially damaging and embarrassing facts.’ (Footnote omitted.) 1 Rice, Attorney-Client Privilege in the United States (2d Ed.1999) 14–15, Section 2.3.” Leslie at ¶ 20.
{117}
Codification of the Privilege
{18} In Jackson v. Greger, 110 Ohio St.3d 488, 2006-Ohio-4968, 854 N.E.2d 487, the court stated, ”
{19} Central to the issue in this case is
{20} “The following persons shall not testify in certain respects:
{21} “(A)(1) An attorney, concerning a communication made to the attorney by a client in that relation or the attorney‘s advice to a client, except that the attorney may testify by express consent of the client or, if the client is deceased, by the express consent of the surviving spouse or the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased client. However, if the client voluntarily testifies or is deemed by
section 2151.421 of the Revised Code to have waived any testimonial privilege under this division, the attorney may be compelled to testify on the same subject.{22} ” * * *
{123} “(2) An attorney, concerning a communication made to the attorney by a client in that relationship or the attorney‘s advice to a client, except that if the client is an insurance company, the attorney may be compelled to testify, subject to an in camera inspection by a court, about communications made by the client to the attorney or by the attorney to the client that are related to the attorney‘s aiding or furthering an ongoing or future commission of bad faith by the client, if the party seeking disclosure of the communications has made a prima facie showing of bad faith, fraud, or criminal misconduct by the client.”
Exceptions to the Attorney-Client Privilege
{24} We have previously recognized several exceptions to the attorney-client privilege codified by
Cooperation with Wrongdoing (Crime-Fraud) Exception
{125} In Lemley v. Kaiser (1983), 6 Ohio St.3d 258, 266, 6 OBR 324, 452 N.E.2d 1304, the court explained that the attorney-client privilege may not be asserted to conceal the attorney‘s cooperation with the client‘s wrongdoing. In that case, Bobby Lee Nash Sr. and Tammy L. Lemley relinquished their infant child to two attorneys to facilitate the private placement of the child for adoption with an unidentified prospective adoptive parent. However, Nash and Lemley changed their minds and sought the return of the child, but the attorneys refused to assist them. Lemley then filed a complaint in the trial court seeking the writ of habeas corpus on behalf of the child. At a hearing, the attorneys invoked the attorney-client privilege and refused to reveal the name and address of the person or persons who had the child. The trial court issued the writ, commanding the attorneys to either return the child or reveal his location, and the court of appeals affirmed. On the attorneys’ appeal, this court affirmed, holding that the names and addresses of the attorneys’ alleged clients were not entitled to the cloak of protection afforded by the attorney-client privilege.
{127} In Moskovitz v. Mt. Sinai Med. Ctr. (1994), 69 Ohio St.3d 638, 635 N.E.2d 331, we relied on Lemley in recognizing the crime-fraud exception as a part of the common law of Ohio. There, we stated that “it is beyond contradiction that the privilege does not attach in a situation where the advice sought by the client and conveyed by the attorney relates to some future unlawful or fraudulent transaction. Advice sought and rendered in this regard is not worthy of protection, and the principles upon which the attorney-client privilege is founded do not dictate otherwise.” Id. at 661.
{28} We again discussed the crime-fraud exception in State ex rel. Nix v. Cleveland (1998), 83 Ohio St.3d 379, 383, 700 N.E.2d 12, in which we confronted the question of whether a public-records request could be refused on the basis that the attorney-client privilege protected communications between the Cleveland Law Department and city officials allegedly engaged in a conspiracy to wrongfully indict John H. Nix for fraud. There, the case required consideration of whether an exception to the attorney-client privilege applied. We recognized that “[a] communication is excepted from the attorney-client privilege if it is undertaken for the purpose of committing or continuing a crime or fraud.” Id. at 383. However, we explained that “[a] party invoking the crime-fraud exception must demonstrate that there is a factual basis for a showing of probable cause to believe that a crime or fraud has been committed and that the communications were in furtherance of the crime or fraud.” Id. at 384. We held that Nix had failed to satisfy that burden. Id.
{29} The court discussed a second type of exception to the attorney-client privilege in Moskovitz v. Mt. Sinai Med. Ctr., 69 Ohio St.3d 638, 635 N.E.2d 331. In that case, Margaret Moskovitz died after her physician, who had altered records to conceal his malpractice, failed to timely diagnose a malignant tumor in her leg. Her estate sued her medical providers for medical malpractice. The court of appeals upheld the finding of liability against the physician and the denial of prejudgment interest but reversed the award of compensatory damages as excessive and the award of punitive damages as prohibited entirely. On the estate‘s appeal to this court, we considered, among other issues, whether the medical providers had failed to make a good-faith effort to settle the claim such that prejudgment interest should have been allowed pursuant to
{130} Because the attorney-client privilege does not apply when the client seeks to abuse the attorney-client relationship, the court in Moskovitz held that “[d]ocuments and other things showing the lack of a good faith effort to settle by a party or the attorneys acting on his or her behalf are wholly unworthy of the protections afforded by any claimed privilege,” id. at 661, and that “[i]n an
{31} In Boone v. Vanliner Ins. Co. (2001), 91 Ohio St.3d 209, 212, 744 N.E.2d 154, the court extended the exception recognized in Moskovitz to attorney-client communications furthering an insurance company‘s lack of good faith in denying coverage, holding such communications to be “unworthy of protection” by the attorney-client privilege. We explained that “the rationale behind our holding in Moskovitz is applicable to actions alleging bad faith denial of coverage. That is, claims file materials that show an insurer‘s lack of good faith in denying coverage are unworthy of protection.” Id. at 213. However, the court, defining the scope of that exception, explained that “the only attorney-client and work-product documents that would contain information related to the bad faith claim, and, thus, be unworthy of protection, would have been created prior to the denial of coverage.” Id.
{32} In addition, Ohio courts have applied the common-law joint-representation exception to the attorney-client privilege, which provides that a client of an attorney cannot invoke the privilege in litigation against a co-client. See, e.g., Emley v. Selepchak (1945), 76 Ohio App. 257, 262, 31 O.O. 558, 63 N.E.2d 919, quoting 8 Wigmore on Evidence (3d Ed.1940), Section 2312 (“Another exception * * * is ‘when the same attorney acts for two parties having a common interest, and each party communicates with him. Here the communications are clearly privileged from disclosure at the instance of a third person. Yet they are not privileged in a controversy between the two original parties, inasmuch as the common interest and employment forbade concealment by either from the other * * *‘” [Emphasis sic]); Netzley v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co. (1971), 34 Ohio App.2d 65, 78, 63 O.O.2d 127, 296 N.E.2d 550 (following Emley); see also Weissenberger‘s Ohio Evidence Treatise (2009) 246-247, Section 501.8 (“A similar exception applies when an action arises between parties who were previously co-clients within an attorney-client relationship“).
{33} Although the crime-fraud, lack-of-good-faith, and joint-representation exceptions to the attorney-client privilege are not expressly codified in
The Self-Protection Exception
{34} At common-law, “[a]n exception to the attorney-client privilege permits an attorney to reveal otherwise protected confidences when necessary to protect his own interest.” Levine, Self-Interest or Self-Defense: Lawyer Disregard of the Attorney-Client Privilege for Profit and Protection (1977), 5 Hofstra L.Rev. 783. This exception provides that “when an attorney becomes involved in a legal controversy with a client or former client, the attorney may reveal any confidences necessary to defend himself or herself or to vindicate his or her rights with regard to the disputed issues.” 1 Stone & Taylor, Testimonial Privileges (2d Ed.1995) 1-177, Section 1.66. See also Mitchell v. Bromberger (1866), 2 Nev. 345; 1 McCormick on Evidence (6th Ed.2006) 414, Section 91.1.
{135} The self-protection exception dates back over 150 years to its articulation by Justice Selden in Rochester City Bank v. Suydam, Sage & Co. (N.Y.Sup.
{36} Since that time, this exception has become firmly rooted in American jurisprudence. The Supreme Court of the United States recognized it in 1888 in Hunt v. Blackburn (1888), 128 U.S. 464, 470-471, 9 S.Ct. 125, 32 L.Ed. 488, and courts and commentators have accepted the self-protection exception as black-letter law defining which communications are subject to the attorney-client privilege. See generally Levine, 5 Hofstra L.Rev. 783; see also Nave v. Baird (1859), 12 Ind. 318; Mitchell v. Bromberger, 2 Nev. 345; Koeber v. Somers (1901), 108 Wis. 497, 84 N.W. 991, 994; 8 Wigmore on Evidence (McNaughton Rev.Ed.1961) 607-608, Section 2312; 2 Mechem, Treatise on the Law of Agency (2d Ed.1914) 1900, Section 2313; 1 McCormick on Evidence at 414, Section 91.1; Wolfram, Modern Legal Ethics (1986) 307, Section 6.7.8; 3 Weinstein‘s Federal Evidence (2d Ed.2007) 503-101, Section 503.33; Sedler & Simeone, The Realities of Attorney-Client Confidences (1963), 24 Ohio St.L.J. 1, 53; Restatement (Third) of the Law Governing Lawyers (2000), Section 83.
{137} Notably, Ohio courts, including this court, have recognized the self-protection exception. In Estate of Butler (App.1939), 32 Ohio Law Abs. 1, 1939 WL 3319, the beneficiaries of the estate of Henry V. Butler challenged the administrator‘s payment of legal fees to Butler‘s attorney, Grover C. Brown. The probate court struck Brown‘s testimony regarding the services he had rendered to Butler as privileged pursuant to G.C. 11494, the predecessor to
{138} We affirmed that decision, explaining that “[s]ince the administrator was charged with maladministration in the allowance and payment of Brown‘s claim against the estate, the defense of the administrator was dependent upon establishing the correctness of the claim by showing the amount and value of the services which Brown had rendered to Butler. The administrator was certainly entitled to such evidence in his defense and was entitled to have Brown, necessarily a very important witness, testify on this subject.” In re Butler‘s Estate (1940), 137 Ohio St. 96, 114, 17 O.O. 432, 28 N.E.2d 186.
{139} We noted that Brown had not been disqualified from testifying as a creditor because his claim against the estate had been paid, and we continued: “Nor should the testimony of Brown have been wholly excluded on the ground
{40} Thus, our caselaw recognizes that the attorney-client privilege does not prevent an attorney from testifying to the correctness, amount, and value of the legal services rendered to the client in an action calling those fees into question. In re Butler‘s Estate, 137 Ohio St. at 114, 28 N.E.2d 186; see also 1 Giannelli & Snyder, Evidence, at 342 (“The privilege also does not apply in an action by an attorney against the client for the collection of legal fees“); Weissenberger‘s Ohio Evidence at 246 (“Nor does privilege attach in actions between the attorney and client, as in a fee dispute“).
{41} Further, the self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege permitting the attorney to testify also applies when the client puts the representation at issue by charging the attorney with a breach of duty or other wrongdoing. Weissenberger‘s Ohio Evidence, id.; 1 Giannelli & Snyder, Evidence, at 342. Courts recognize that “[t]he attorney-client privilege cannot at once be used as a shield and a sword.” In re Lott (C.A.6, 2005), 424 F.3d 446, 454, quoting United States v. Bilzerian (C.A.2, 1991), 926 F.2d 1285, 1292. Thus, a client may not rely on attorney-client communications to establish a claim against the attorney while asserting the attorney-client privilege to prevent the attorney from rebutting that claim.
{1142} Rather, “the attorney-client privilege exists to aid in the administration of justice and must yield in circumstances where justice so requires,” Moskovitz v. Mt. Sinai Med. Ctr., 69 Ohio St.3d at 661, 635 N.E.2d 331. The same considerations of justice and fairness that undergird the attorney client privilege prevent a client from employing it in litigation against a lawyer to the lawyer‘s disadvantage. Wolfram, Modern Legal Ethics (1986) 308, Section 6.7.8; Wright & Miller, Federal Practice & Procedure (1997, Supp.2010), Section 5503; Restatement (Third) of the Law Governing Lawyers, Section 83, Comment b.
{43} Thus, courts apply the exception because “[i]t would be a manifest injustice to allow the client to take advantage of [the attorney-client privilege] to the prejudice of his attorney * * * [or] to the extent of depriving the attorney of the means of obtaining or defending his own rights.” Mitchell v. Bromberger, 2 Nev. 345; see also Doe v. A Corp. (C.A.5, 1983), 709 F.2d 1043, 1048–1049;
{144} Givaudan, however, relies on Jackson v. Greger, 110 Ohio St.3d 488, 2006-Ohio-4968, 854 N.E.2d 487, ¶ 13, for the proposition that this court has “consistently rejected the adoption of judicially created waivers, exceptions, and limitations for testimonial privilege statutes.” Jackson dealt with the question of whether to recognize the doctrine of implied waiver of the attorney-client privilege as articulated in Hearn v. Rhay, 68 F.R.D. 574. Applying State v. McDermott (1995), 72 Ohio St.3d 570, 651 N.E.2d 985, the court explained that
{45} In addition, we rejected the same argument Givaudan presents in Boone v. Vanliner Ins. Co., 91 Ohio St.3d 209, 744 N.E.2d 154. Vanliner relied on McDermott‘s statement that
{46} Moreover, Givaudan‘s argument runs counter to our caselaw, which recognizes exceptions to the attorney-client privilege. As Professor Weissenberger noted, “[i]f one reads McDermott literally, then the crime-fraud, fee dispute, malpractice, co-client, and other public policy exceptions are invalid judicial augmentations of the statutory privilege, and have no effect.” Weissenberger‘s Ohio Evidence at 247, Section 501.8. But our cases do recognize these exceptions. See Boone, 91 Ohio St.3d at 213, 744 N.E.2d 154 (lack of good faith); Nix, 83 Ohio St.3d at 383, 700 N.E.2d 12 (crime-fraud); Moskovitz, 69 Ohio St.3d at 661-663, 635 N.E.2d 331 (crime-fraud and lack of good faith); Lemley, 6 Ohio St.3d at 266, 6 OBR 324, 452 N.E.2d 1304 (cooperation in wrongdoing).
{1147} In deciding Jackson and McDermott, we did not cast aside the well-established common-law exceptions to the attorney-client privilege. Unlike waiver, which involves the client‘s relinquishment of the protections of
{148} And as discussed, Ohio recognizes the common-law self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege, which permits an attorney to testify concerning attorney-client communications when necessary to establish a claim for legal fees on behalf of the attorney or to defend against a charge of malpractice or other wrongdoing in litigation between the attorney and the client.
{149} Our decision today also comports with
{150} “A lawyer may reveal information relating to the representation of a client, including information protected by the attorney-client privilege under applicable law, to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary * * *
{151} “(5) to establish a claim or defense on behalf of the lawyer in a controversy between the lawyer and the client * * *.” (Emphasis sic.)
{152} Further, Comment [10] to
{153} Ohio recognizes the self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege, and that exception applies in this situation. Therefore,
{154} The work-product doctrine emanates from Hickman v. Taylor (1947), 329 U.S. 495, 511, 67 S.Ct. 385, 91 L.Ed. 451, in which the Supreme Court of the United States recognized that “[p]roper preparation of a client‘s case demands that [the attorney] assemble information, sift what he considers to be the relevant from the irrelevant facts, prepare his legal theories and plan his strategy without undue and needless interference. * * * This work is reflected, of course, in interviews, statements, memoranda, correspondence, briefs, mental impressions, personal beliefs, and countless other tangible and intangible ways—aptly though roughly termed by the Circuit Court of Appeals in this case (153 F.2d 212, 223) as the ‘Work product of the lawyer.’ Were such materials open to opposing counsel on mere demand, much of what is now put down in writing would remain unwritten. An attorney‘s thoughts, heretofore inviolate, would not be his own. Inefficiency, unfairness and sharp practices would inevitably develop in the giving of legal advice and in the preparation of cases for trial. The effect on the legal profession would be demoralizing. And the interests of the clients and the cause of justice would be poorly served.”
{1155} Addressing these concerns, the work-product doctrine provides a qualified privilege protecting the attorney‘s mental processes in preparation of litigation, establishing “a zone of privacy in which lawyers can analyze and prepare their client‘s case free from scrutiny or interference by an adversary.” Hobley v. Burge (C.A.7, 2006), 433 F.3d 946, 949. However, as the Supreme Court of the United States has explained, “the doctrine is an intensely practical one, grounded in the realities of litigation in our adversary system,” and the privilege afforded by the work-product doctrine is not absolute. United States v. Nobles (1975), 422 U.S. 225, 238 and 239, 95 S.Ct. 2160, 45 L.Ed.2d 141.
{156}
{157} In Jackson v. Greger, 110 Ohio St.3d 488, 2006-Ohio-4968, 854 N.E.2d 487, we examined the meaning of “good cause,” stating that “a showing of good cause under
{158} While the protections for attorney work product provided in
{159} When the attorney-client relationship has been put at issue by a claim for legal fees or by a claim that the attorney breached a duty owed to the client, good cause exists for the production of attorney work product to the extent necessary to collect those fees or to defend against the client‘s claim. See Holmgren v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. (C.A.9, 1992), 976 F.2d 573, 577 (“We agree with the several courts and commentators that have concluded that opinion work product may be discovered and admitted when mental impressions are at issue in a case and the need for the material is compelling“); Morrow v. Brown, Todd & Heyburn (Ky.1997), 957 S.W.2d 722, 726 (“While an attorney‘s private thoughts are most certainly deserving of special protection, that concern for privacy must give way when the activities of counsel are directly at issue in subsequent litigation“); 20 Wright & Kane, Federal Practice & Procedure Deskbook (2009), Section 87 (“It also has been held that opinion work product is discoverable if the strategy and mental impressions of a party‘s agents and attorneys are directly at issue in the case and the information could not be obtained elsewhere“); Restatement (Third) of the Law Governing Lawyers, Section 92, Comment c (“A party who asserts that a lawyer‘s assistance was defective may not invoke work-product immunity to prevent an opposing party‘s access to information concerning the claim“); Anderson, Cadieux, Hays, Hingerty & Kaplan, The Work Product Doctrine (1983), 68 Cornell L.Rev. 760, 831 (“When an attorney‘s mental impressions, theories, or conclusions are ‘at issue’ in a suit, courts have held that the documents containing these thoughts are discoverable“).
{160} Thus, attorney work product, including but not limited to mental impressions, theories, and legal conclusions, may be discovered upon a showing of
{161} Here, attorney work product, including information sought from King and Garfinkel regarding the staffing of the butter-flavor litigation, trial strategy, resources committed, and views that the firm provided inadequate representation through counsel lacking sufficient leadership, qualification, and experience, is directly at issue, since the reasonable value of the legal services performed by Squire Sanders and the quality of its legal work are the pivotal issues in this lawsuit, and the need for this evidence is compelling. See Morrow, 957 S.W.2d at 726 (“We are of the view that the opinion work product sought to be discovered must be directed to the pivotal issue in the subsequent litigation and the need for the material must be compelling“).
{1162} In propounding its interrogatories and in questioning King and Garfinkel, Squire Sanders sought the factual bases underlying Givaudan‘s allegations that Squire Sanders had breached its contractual and professional duties and overcharged for its services. King and Garfinkel‘s mental impressions regarding the defense of the butter-flavor litigation relate directly to and are necessary for determining the truth of these allegations, because their evaluation of Squire Sanders’ performance allegedly shaped Givaudan‘s decisions on how to defend the litigation and on whether to continue the representation and pay the firm‘s fees. This information is otherwise unavailable to Squire Sanders because it is within the exclusive possession and knowledge of Givaudan, King, and Garfinkel.
{163} Accordingly, testimony of King and Garfinkel and documents related to the value and quality of the legal services rendered by Squire Sanders are not protected from discovery in this case by the work-product doctrine.
Conclusion
{64} Ohio recognizes a common law self-protection exception to the attorney-client privilege codified in
{165} Similarly, good cause exists for discovery of otherwise unavailable attorney work product to the extent that the work product has been placed at issue in litigation by a claim for legal fees or by a charge that the attorney breached a duty owed to the client.
{166} Accordingly, the judgment of the court of appeals is reversed, and the cause is remanded to the trial court, which has already made a finding of good cause requiring Givaudan to produce the requested documents, testimony, and
Judgment reversed and cause remanded.
PFEIFER, LUNDBERG STRATTON, O‘CONNOR, and CUPP, JJ., concur.
LANZINGER, J., concurs in judgment only.
BROWN, C.J., not participating.
LANZINGER, J., concurring in judgment only.
{167} I concur in judgment only because I cannot agree with the distinction the majority makes between exceptions to and waivers of the attorney-client privilege in order to circumvent this court‘s holding in Jackson v. Greger, 110 Ohio St.3d 488, 2006-Ohio-4968, 854 N.E.2d 487. I did not agree in Jackson that
{168} However, in its attempt to distinguish waiver from exception, the majority uses overly broad language and declares that an exception “falls into the category of situations in which the privilege does not attach to the communications in the first instance and is therefore excluded from the operation of [
{169} Because I believe that common-law exceptions are really no different from common-law waivers, I concur in judgment only.
Jones Day, John M. Newman Jr., Louis A. Chaiten, Pearson N. Bownas, Matthew P. Silversten, and Eric E. Murphy, for appellant.
Hermann, Cahn & Schneider, L.L.P., Anthony J. Hartman, Jay H. Salamon, and Hugh D. Berkson; and Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp, L.L.P., and Jeffrey L. Richardson, for appellee.
Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, L.L.P., Sandra J. Anderson, and Michael J. Hendershot; and Eugene P. Whetzel, urging reversal on behalf of amicus curiae, Ohio State Bar Association.