New York Law (NYLE) Practice Exam

The correct answer asserts that the attorney-client privilege is indefinite. This privilege is designed to encourage open and honest communication between clients and their attorneys, which is fundamental to the legal process. The essence of this privilege is that it protects the confidentiality of communications made for the purpose of seeking legal advice.

The attorney-client privilege does not automatically terminate upon the end of the representation or the death of the client. Instead, it continues indefinitely, allowing heirs or estates of deceased clients to maintain the privilege regarding communications made while the client was alive. This ensures that sensitive information shared during the course of representation remains protected even after the attorney-client relationship has ended or the client has passed away.

Understanding this concept is vital as it underlines the importance of trust in the attorney-client relationship and reinforces the protection afforded to communications between them.