Cal. Codes » Evidence Code / DIVISION 8. PRIVILEGES / CHAPTER 4. Particular Privileges / ARTICLE 3. Lawyer-Client Privilege
California Codes

Cal. Evidence Code § 952 (2026)

Lawyer-Client Privilege

✓ current as of May 2026
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As used in this article, “confidential communication between client and lawyer” means information transmitted between a client and his or her lawyer in the course of that relationship and in confidence by a means which, so far as the client is aware, discloses the information to no third persons other than those who are present to further the interest of the client in the consultation or those to whom disclosure is reasonably necessary for the transmission of the information or the accomplishment of the purpose for which the lawyer is consulted, and includes a legal opinion formed and the advice given by the lawyer in the course of that relationship.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 167 cases (31 in the last 5 years), 1968–2025 · leading case: L.A. Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors v. Superior Court of L.A. Cnty., 386 P.3d 773 (Cal. 2016).
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L.A. Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors v. Superior Court of L.A. Cnty., 386 P.3d 773 (Cal. 2016). · cites it 5× “" A "confidential communication," moreover, is defined as "information transmitted between a client and his or her lawyer in the course of that relationship and in confidence by a means which, so far as the client is aware, discloses the information to no third persons other…”
McDermott Will & Emery LLP v. Superior Court of Orange Cnty., 10 Cal. App. 5th 1083 (Cal. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 4× “ntial communication between client and lawyer‟” is statutorily defined as “information transmitted between a client and his or her lawyer in the course of that relationship and in confidence by a means which, so far as the client is aware, discloses the information to no third…”
People v. Gutierrez, 200 P.3d 847 (Cal. 2009). · cites it 3× ““ ‘[A] confidential communication between client and lawyer’ ” is protected by the attorney-client privilege and may not be disclosed without the consent of the client or the client’s representative.”
People v. Clark, 789 P.2d 127 (Cal. 1990). · cites it 4× “This section confirms that the purpose of the psychotherapist-patient privilege is not to preclude use of the defendant's statements in a legal proceeding, and reflects recognition that the purpose of promoting the therapeutic *621 relationship can no longer be achieved once the…”
Costco Wholesale Corp. v. Superior Court, 219 P.3d 736 (Cal. 2009). · cites it 2× “The letter was “confidential,” defined as “information transmitted between a client and his or her lawyer in the course of [the attorney-client] relationship and in confidence by a means which, so far as the client is aware, discloses the information to no third persons other…”
People v. Carasi, 190 P.3d 616 (Cal. 2008). · cites it 2× “) In making this argument, defendant emphasizes the applicable Law Revision Commission Comment stating that an attorney-client communication retains its confidential character "even though it is made in the presence of another person— such as a spouse, parent, business…”
Cont'l Cas. Co. v. St. Paul Surplus Lines Ins., 265 F.R.D. 510 (E.D. Cal. 2010). · cites it 7× “They argue that “[i]n the context of insurance, the tripartite relationship between insured, defense counsel, and insurer requires disclosure of information that falls under the protection of Cal Evid.”
People v. Coddington, 2 P.3d 1081 (Cal. 2000). · cites it 2× “The attorney-client privilege is "a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, a confidential communication between client and lawyer.”
La Ronda Collins v. Superior Court of Los Angeles Cnty., 74 Cal. App. 3d 47 (Cal. Ct. App. 1977). · cites it 4× “2d 793 ]; Evid. Code, §§ 952, 954.) Furthermore, there being no statutory client-litigant exception to the attorney-client privilege, such as exists with respect to the physician-patient and psychotherapist-patient privileges (Evid.”
People v. Gionis, 892 P.2d 1199 (Cal. 1995). · cites it 2× “Evidence Code section 952 provides that "information transmitted between a client and his or her lawyer in the course of [their] relationship and in confidence" is protected by the attorney-client privilege.”
People v. Delgado, 389 P.3d 805 (Cal. 2017). “9 Evidence Code section 952 defines " 'confidential communication between client and lawyer' " as "information transmitted between a client and his or her lawyer in the course of that relationship and in confidence by a means which, so far as the client is aware, discloses the…”
People v. Miles, 464 P.3d 611 (Cal. 2020). “” (Evid. Code, § 952.) The “ ‘fundamental purpose’ ” of the attorney-client privilege is “ ‘to safeguard the confidential relationship between clients and their attorneys so as to promote full and [frank] discussion of the facts and tactics surrounding individual legal matters.”
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