Rule 1.6 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct
Definition
Rule that governs the confidentiality of information relating to the representation of a client. The rule prohibits a lawyer from revealing information relating to the representation unless the client gives informed consent, disclosure is impliedly authorized in order to carry out the representation, or disclosure is reasonably necessary to: (1) prevent death or bodily harm; (2) prevent the client from committing a crime or fraud that will injure another’s financial or property interest and the client is using the lawyer’s services to further the crime or fraud; (3) prevent, mitigate, or rectify financial harm or property damage that will result or has resulted from the client’s commission of a crime or fraud in which the client used the lawyer’s services; (4) obtain legal advice about compliance with professional-conduct rules; (5) establish a lawyer’s claim or defense in a controversy between the lawyer and the client, or defend a criminal charge or civil claim against the lawyer based on conduct involving the client; (6) comply with the law or a court order; or (7) detect and resolve conflicts of interest arising from the lawyer’s change of employment or changes in the composition or ownership of a firm.