Walmart Must Provide Attorney Emails In Trade Dress Dispute With Vans Inc.

(June 7, 2023, 11:24 AM EDT) -- SANTA ANA, Calif. — Protections under the attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine in an email chain between Walmart Inc. and its counsel were waived by disclosure of those emails to a third party and the assertion of an advice of counsel defense, a California federal magistrate judge ruled, granting a motion to compel by Vans Inc., which alleges trade dress infringement of multiple shoe designs by the retailer and its suppliers....