Need to Know

Confidentiality and the Attorney-Client Privilege

The attorney-client privilege preserves the confidentiality of communications between attorneys and their clients. The privilege is important because it lets clients speak openly about what has transpired and allows attorneys to provide candid legal advice.

The attorney-client privilege applies whether the communications are oral, written or electronic – but the communication must be made for the purpose of seeking legal advice regarding a university legal matter and must be kept confidential. In every matter that we handle, the university is the client and the privilege belongs to Tufts.

Accordingly, please do not discuss your communications with an Office of University Counsel (OUC) attorney with anyone outside the university. Even forwarding an email with legal advice could waive the privilege, so please keep these discussions private and discuss them with other university officials on a need to know basis.

Ethics, Fraud, Misconduct

Tufts is committed to upholding its mission to create an inclusive and collaborative environment where our scholars can generate bold ideas and distinguish themselves as active citizens of the world. Our commitment to carrying out that mission is embodied in the university’s Standards of Professional Conduct and Integrity. There are a variety of ways to report ethical concerns, including anonymously at 1-866-384-4277 or online.