Ep 136: Understanding Client Confidentiality in Environmental Law

In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, Marisa Desautel and Clarice Parsons explore attorney-client confidentiality and how it applies across the many types of clients encountered in environmental law practice. Marisa explains the differences between representing individuals, municipalities, state agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations, and discusses a key legal question: when the client is a group, who does the attorney actually represent? The conversation covers attorney-client privilege, legal ethics, executive sessions, public transparency requirements, municipal boards, and the challenges of balancing confidentiality with accountability in government settings. Marisa also explains when privilege applies, how it can be waived, and why not every conversation with an attorney is automatically protected. Clarice contributes insights from the mediation world, highlighting similarities between legal confidentiality and mediation agreements, including common exceptions and reporting requirements. Topics Covered: Attorney-client confidentiality Environmental and municipal law Organizational versus individual clients Planning boards and zoning boards State agencies and local government Executive sessions and open meetings laws Attorney-client privilege and waiver Mediation confidentialityLegal ethics and professional responsibility Join Marisa and Clarice for an engaging discussion on one of the most important—and often misunderstood—principles in legal practice.