The actions and impressions of a non-lawyer sent by counsel to conduct an interview were subject to work product privilege.
Judge Tennille held that the interviewer (Ms. Lister):
declined to answer questions which called for her mental impressions and litigation strategy based upon attorney-client privilege and work product. Ms. Lister conducted the interview at the direction and under the supervision of the General Counsel of BDO in order to prepare BDO’s defense to the claims asserted in the lawsuit. The Court concludes that the limited amount of information withheld by Ms. Lister was protected as attorney work product under N.C. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(3). Harco elicited testimony about what was said and done at the interview. The information it now seeks relates to impressions and opinions Ms. Lister formed and conveyed to BDO’s General Counsel. Harco has not demonstrated any hardship as it has obtained discovery of the underlying facts. Harco’s Motion to Compel is denied.
Brief in Opposition to Motion to Compel
Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Compel
(Brief in Support of Motion to Compel not available)