Adler v. Greenfield

Discovery dispute arose during litigation of legal malpractice action. Plaintiffs, third-party beneficiaries of a will, allege that attorney was negligent in failing to follow testator's intention and include certain provision in a will that would have entitled them to a greater inheritance. Communications between attorney and bank (co-executor and co-trustee) that occurred prior to testator's death, about testator's estate, are shielded from discovery by attorney-client privilege. Trial court should conduct in camera determination of whether documents are privileged. Communications occurring between attorney and bank after testator's death are not privileged. Attorney acted in good faith to serve their client, and thus contempt order is vacated. (HALL and REYES, concurring.)