Statement by ABA President Karen J. Mathis regarding the Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act of 2006

CHICAGO Dec. 7, 2006 — The Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act of 2006, a bill introduced by Senator Arlen Specter, is critically important to our nation’s economic and legal health, and warrants prompt approval by Congress.  As the bill states, protecting confidential attorney-client privileged communications from compelled disclosure fosters voluntary compliance with the law.  Government tactics that coerce disclosure, on the other hand, undermine these benefits and our adversarial system of justice, and can threaten the very survival of organizations, including even the largest, most robust corporations.  The ripple effect of those consequences harms employees, investors and all of society.  Sen. Specter’s bill strikes the proper balance between the legitimate needs of prosecutors and regulators and the constitutional and fundamental legal rights of individuals and organizations.  The American Bar Association strongly urges its passage.