What is classified as 'work product' in legal terms?

In legal terminology, 'work product' refers specifically to the materials and notes created by attorneys in the course of preparing for a case or representing a client. This includes strategies, thoughts, analyses, and other documents that arise from the attorney's efforts to assist their client. The concept of work product is protected under the work product doctrine, which prevents opposing parties from accessing these materials without the consent of the attorney, recognizing that they are critical to the legal strategy and the attorney-client relationship.

The other options present items that do not hold the same protected status. For instance, evidence collected during a trial is subject to rules of disclosure and can be presented in court. Testimony from witnesses is also not protected as work product; it is a public record of what a witness states in a legal proceeding. Lastly, public documents related to the case are accessible to the public and are not considered the private work of an attorney. Therefore, only the notes and materials created by attorneys serve the specific purpose of work product in the context of legal representation.