Upjohn Co. v. United States

Upjohn Co. v. United States was a Supreme Court case decided in 1981, focusing on the attorney-client privilege in corporate settings. Upjohn, a pharmaceutical company, conducted a confidential internal investigation of potential legal issues and sought to keep those communications private. The IRS later demanded documents related to this investigation. The Court ruled that the privilege applies to internal communications made by employees to company lawyers, reinforcing that companies can seek legal advice without fear of disclosure. This case clarified the scope of attorney-client privilege for corporations, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality in legal matters.