A lawyer may disclose confidential information to obtain legal advice about compliance with the MRPC. Which statement is correct?

• A. No, confidential information may never be disclosed.
• B. Only if the client consents.
• C. To obtain legal advice, you may disclose to the extent necessary.
• D. Only if required by court order.

Answer: (C)

Confidentiality isn’t an absolute shield: there’s a narrow exception that lets a lawyer disclose information about the representation when needed to get legal advice about whether the lawyer’s conduct complies with the Rules. The key is that the disclosure is limited to what’s reasonably necessary to obtain that advice and only to the people who can provide it (usually another attorney or a professional advisor). This clarifies how to navigate ethical questions without breaking the duty of confidentiality. It doesn’t require the client’s consent, and it doesn’t demand a court order. After obtaining the advice, the information remains confidential, and the adviser must keep it confidential and use it solely to help with the legal guidance.