In a recent Law360 article, "3 Decisions You Need To Read About Bills And Privilege," Los Angeles Partner Anthony Parascandola offered comment about California's Supreme Court ruling in December regarding attorney invoices and the application of privilege in discovery.
The California high court ruled that the privilege does not "categorically" protect everything in a legal invoice from disclosure. Tony commented on the ruling, saying the majority opinion misinformed on the level of detail included in most litigation invoices.
"Legal strategy is inevitably revealed in your bills... that are supposed to give the client a very valuable understanding of how you’re approaching their case,” Tony said. “If you suddenly have to hand that over in discovery, you’re clearly breaching the attorney-client privilege, and that’s very concerning.” (Law360)