What should the lawyer's assistant do when opening incoming mail?

• A. Information control - keep media and authorities from gaining a lot of information.
• B. Read and summarize all contents aloud to the attorney.
• C. Immediately forward all mail to clients without review.
• D. Return all mail unopened.

Answer: (A)

Handling incoming mail with information control means protecting confidentiality and attorney‑client privilege by limiting who can see the contents. The assistant should securely handle the mail, open it only to identify its nature and what action is needed, record its receipt, and route it to the attorney or appropriate person for review, keeping the contents within the authorized circle. If the mail is sensitive or privileged, do not disclose its contents to anyone not authorized, and do not read it aloud in the presence of others. Do not forward all mail to clients without review, and do not keep returning mail unopened. This approach reduces the risk of leaks to the media, authorities, or the public while ensuring proper handling of every item.