Case Citation
Legal Case Name

In Re Motion to Quash Bar Counsel Subpoena Case Brief

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine2009Docket #1841875
2009 ME 104 982 A.2d 330 2009 Me. LEXIS 107 2009 WL 3430231 Evidence Professional Responsibility Civil Procedure

Why Top Law Students (And Those Aspiring to Be) Use LSD+ Briefs

Let's be real, law school is a marathon. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full case system is designed by Harvard Law School and MIT grads to match your pace: Quick summaries when you're slammed, detailed analysis when you need to go deep. Only LSD+ offers this kind of flexibility to genuinely fit your study flow.

Adaptive Case Views

Toggle between Flash, Standard, and Expanded. Get what you need, when you need it.

Exam-Ready IRAC Format

We deliver the precise structure professors look for in exam answers.

Complex Cases, Clarified

We break down dense legal reasoning into something digestible, helping you grasp core concepts.

Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

General Brief
3 min read

tl;dr: A law firm claimed attorney-client privilege over internal investigation documents. The court established a new, two-part test and a “preponderance of the evidence” standard for the crime-fraud exception, vacating an order compelling disclosure because the lower court’s analysis was insufficient.

Legal Significance: This case establishes for the first time in Maine the two-part test and preponderance of the evidence standard required to invoke the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege, departing from the lower federal “prima facie” standard.

In Re Motion to Quash Bar Counsel Subpoena Law School Study Guide

Use this case brief structure for your own legal analysis. Focus on the IRAC methodology to excel in law school exams and cold calls.

Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

Bar Counsel initiated an investigation into the law firm Verrill Dana LLP concerning its handling of the discovery and reporting of a partner’s theft of client funds. As part of this investigation, Bar Counsel issued a subpoena to the firm’s former general counsel, Attorney Gene Libby, compelling his testimony and the production of documents from his internal investigation. The firm moved to quash the subpoena, asserting that the requested materials were protected by the attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine. Bar Counsel responded that the crime-fraud exception under Maine Rule of Evidence 502(d)(1) negated any privilege. The parties submitted the dispute to a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. After an in camera review of the documents, the single justice found that Libby “may have uncovered criminal conduct by partners” and ordered all documents produced, concluding the crime-fraud exception applied. The firm appealed this interlocutory order compelling disclosure.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: What standard must a party meet to successfully invoke the crime-fraud exception to overcome a claim of attorney-client privilege?

The order denying the motion to quash is vacated and the case Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo con

Master Every Case Faster

Unlock premium legal analysis that helps you quickly understand complex cases, designed by Harvard Law and MIT graduates. It's about working smarter, not just harder.

Start 14-Day Free Trial

Thousands of students are already saving time and gaining clarity. Why not you?

IRAC Legal Analysis

Premium Feature Unlock

Complete IRAC Analysis for Higher Grades

IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.

Legal Issue

What standard must a party meet to successfully invoke the crime-fraud exception to overcome a claim of attorney-client privilege?

Conclusion

This decision establishes the definitive test and burden of proof for the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqu

Legal Rule

To invoke the crime-fraud exception under M.R. Evid. 502(d)(1), a party must Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit

Legal Analysis

The Supreme Judicial Court of Maine first addressed its authority to hear Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla

Flash-to-Full Case Opinions

Flash Summary

  • The crime-fraud exception requires proof that: (1) the client was engaged
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Master Every Case Faster

Unlock premium legal analysis that helps you quickly understand complex cases, designed by Harvard Law and MIT graduates. It's about working smarter, not just harder.

Start 14-Day Free Trial

Thousands of students are already saving time and gaining clarity. Why not you?