STATE DEPARTMENTS; PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES - OPEN MEETINGS - EXECUTIVE SESSIONS; CONSULTATION WITH AN ATTORNEY. November 20, 1986.
K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2) authorizes public bodies subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) to recess into an executive session for the purpose of "consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship ...." The term "consultation" as used in the KOMA necessarily implies the presence of an attorney. Even though a letter from an attorney to his client containing advice is a privileged communication, we must conclude that members of a public body cannot recess into an executive session to review and discuss among themselves a letter from their attorney. Therefore, it is our opinion that the "consultation with an attorney exception to the open meetings law cannot be invoked unless the attorney for the body is present. Cited herein: K.S.A. 60-426; 75-4317; K.S.A. 1985 Supp. 75-4318(a); K.S.A. 75-4319.
- Summary quoted from "Library-related Opinions of the Attorney General of the State of Kansas: 1959-1988". Jana Renfro, Administrative Assistant to the State Librarian, Kansas State Library, 1988.