Which of the following is NOT a permissible basis for disclosing confidential information?

• A. To prevent death or substantial bodily harm
• B. To prevent crime or fraud
• C. To reveal confidential information to a non-client for a personal gain
• D. To establish a claim or defense for the lawyer

Answer: (C)

The main principle here is that a lawyer may disclose confidential information only for narrowly defined reasons that protect others or the integrity of the legal process. Those allowed purposes include preventing reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm; preventing, mitigating, or rectifying financial harm to another caused by the client’s crime or fraud; seeking or receiving legal advice about how to comply with the rules; and using the information to establish a claim or defense in a dispute involving the lawyer, or to comply with law or a court order.

Disclosing confidential information to a non-client for a personal gain is not one of the permitted purposes. It would improperly exploit the client’s confidential information for the lawyer’s own benefit or someone else’s, beyond what the rules authorize. Absent the client’s informed consent or another applicable exception, such a disclosure would violate the duties of confidentiality.