The mess in which Hewlett-Packard finds itself, based on an internal investigation into leaks from its board of directors, is the product of a number of failures. Among the most significant, Hewlett-Packard’s lawyers failed in their primary duty to protect the client, by allowing outsiders to take control of the investigation of leaks from the boardroom. The self-important goal of ferreting out a leaker led to an investigation that included obtaining the private records of board members, executives and journalists by a method called “pretexting” — a fancy name for lying and deceit.
Like any corporate scandal, the Hewlett-Packard imbroglio contains a number of important lessons, especially for corporate lawyers. Two situations, both involving e-mails, stand out in showing how the company’s lawyers were not as careful as they should have been.
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]
