Proposed amicus brief in support of real parties in interest (February 12, 2016)

Amici Curiae Leane Lee and Coalition of Anaheim Taxpayers for Economic Responsibility (CATER), submit this Amicus Brief in support of Real Parties in Interest ACLU of Southern California and Eric Preven (together, ACLU). Amici Curiae are community watchdogs that rely on the California Public Records Act (CPRA or Act) to obtain information necessary to monitor government activities in their respective communities. They anticipate that the outcome of this case will have an effect on their cases currently pending in the Superior Court as well as on their future ability to obtain public records pursuant to the Act.

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The California Public Records Act and the attorney-client privilege are not mutually exclusive — the two doctrines advance very important interests and can coexist. Excluding attorney invoices from the definition of the attorney-client privilege will not force disclosure of the confidential information because the court may redact confidential information even if the invoices themselves are not categorically privileged. […]