SC justices warn lawyers: No online posting of communications with clients

Supreme Court justices warns lawyers not to post their conversations with clients online. (Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines – Posting selfies online are okay even for lawyers but not their communications with clients which Supreme Court justices on Wednesday said violates the lawyer-client privilege and may result in their disbarment.

Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen told reporters that they noticed some lawyers are posting on social media communications with their clients such as letters, text messages, and even gifts from their clients or photos of documents that they intend to file in court.

“Selfies are okay, but lately, we have been noticing that lawyers posting photos of letters from their clients who liked their work, or they will post about documents they will be filing in court. They are probably excited, but bawal yan [that is not allowed],” Leonen said.

Leonen joined Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Associate Justices Jose Midas Marquez and Japar Dimaampao during the SC Meets the Press: Dialogue and Thanksgiving event.

Mostly young lawyers, he said, are probably posting communications on social media “just to brag,” but such actions are “absolutely prohibited.”

“We need to preserve the confidentiality between lawyers and clients because once you post, you are actually opening third parties to your communication, which is actionable,” Leonen explained.

“The tolerance of the Supreme Court on this has been stretched and sooner or later baka merong isa o dalawa na ma-file-an ng disbarment case [sooner or later a disbarment case may be filed against one or two (lawyers)] because they actually violated attorney-client privileged,” he said.

He also reminded lawyers to respect the judiciary and “hold back a bit” on commentaries about pending cases.

“What’s more important is to maintain the aura of justice rather than showing arrogance that they are smarter,” Leonen also said.

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