Opinion ID: 884671
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: issues

Text: ¶ 106 Did the District Court err in admitting testimony by paralegal Jeanne Windham? ¶ 107 Ingraham argues the District Court erred in permitting paralegal Jeanne Windham to testify as to statements Ingraham made to her about the accident. Ingraham asserts that Windham was one of his law firm's employees, and argues the content of his conversations with her about the accident was protected by the attorney-client privilege and constituted privileged work product. Moreover, Ingraham asserts the court erred in admitting rebuttal testimony regarding additional conversations overheard by Windham, but which did not tend to counteract new matter introduced by the defense. ¶ 108 The State, in contrast, argues that neither the attorney-client privilege nor the work product rule apply to protect the content of conversations between Ingraham and Windham in the aftermath of the accident. The State additionally asserts that Windham's testimony on rebuttal was proper, and urges the court did not err in overruling Ingraham's objections to its admission. ¶ 109 We review the District Court's evidentiary ruling for an abuse of discretion. State v. Gollehon (1993), 262 Mont. 293, 301, 864 P.2d 1257, 1263.