Hitt v. Stephens

Several relatives of J. Brown Hitt and Gladys Hitt, both deceased, have brought this replevin action to recover decedents’ estate files from their law firm. The circuit court of Sangamon County granted summary judgment to defendants on the basis that (1) the action was untimely, and (2) the files were protected by the attorney-client privilege. While we find the action was timely, we agree that the attorney-client privilege protects the files, and we accordingly affirm.

Plaintiffs are the grandchildren (Katharine Buckner, Robert Hitt, Jr., and Judith Hitt Welborn) and a daughter-in-law…