What does the work-product doctrine protect?

The work-product doctrine protects materials that are prepared in anticipation of litigation from discovery in legal proceedings. This doctrine ensures that an attorney’s thought processes, strategies, and analyses remain confidential and are shielded from opposing counsel. It applies to documents, interviews, notes, and memoranda that are created by or for an attorney in relation to a specific case.

This protection encourages thoroughness and candor in legal preparation, as attorneys can develop their cases without the fear that their internal deliberations will be exposed to adversaries. By keeping such materials confidential, the work-product doctrine upholds the integrity of the legal process and promotes effective representation for clients.

While communications between attorneys and clients are also protected under attorney-client privilege, the work-product doctrine specifically targets the preparation materials for litigation, making it distinct in its focus. The other options do not fall under the purview of the work-product doctrine, which is specifically related to litigation preparation.