Lawyers Would Rather Fly Than Download PGP

Slashdot recounts an anonymous post about a NY Times front-page story about lawyers representing suspects in terrorism-related cases. Apparently lawyers in such cases will fly long-distances to meet with their clients rather than pursue a technological solution.

Oregon attorney Thomas Nelson flies to the Middle East to meet with his high-profile Saudi client, currently barred from entering the U.S. given charges here against him of financing terrorism.

Lawyers throughout the country representing suspects in terrorism-related investigations state that their ability to do their jobs is being thwarted by suspicion that the government is listening in, using eavesdropping authority it granted itself after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A Portland lawyer involved in several terrorism cases says he has told clients to assume that everything they say to him is being secretly monitored,

The Justice Department doesn't deny that the government has monitored phone calls and e-mail between lawyers and clients as part of its terrorism investigations here and overseas.

To see details, see Lawyers Fear Monitoring in Cases on Terrorism in Tuesday's New York Times.