Lionbridge Technologies, LLC v. Valley Forge Insurance Co.
Year 2021
Court United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Case Number 21-1698
Issue
  • Attorney Client Privilege
  • Common Interest Doctrine
  • Duty to Defend
State
  • Massachusetts

In its amicus curiae brief, UP weighs in on the issues of an insurer’s duty to defend and the ability of an insurance company to obtain the privileged information of its insured under the guise of the common interest doctrine. UP argues that when an insurers only offers its insured a limited defense for an underlying lawsuit — i.e., a defense subject to a reservation of rights letter — the insurer should not be allowed to obtain the privileged information of its insured under the “common interest” doctrine particularly when the insurer’s goal is to use the gathered information to justify a denial of coverage.