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

• A. To prevent death or substantial bodily harm
• B. To solicit new clients
• C. To comply with the rules of the court
• D. To secure legal advice about compliance

Answer: (B)

The key rule is that attorney-client confidentiality protects information related to a client’s representation, and disclosures are allowed only under limited, specific exceptions. Among the listed options, only some disclosers fit those exceptions.

Disclosing confidential information to prevent death or substantial bodily harm is permitted because protecting life and safety is a top priority and allowed as a narrowly tailored exception.

Disclosing to comply with the rules of the court is also allowed, since courts may compel or require disclosure as part of legal proceedings, and lawyers may reveal necessary information to comply with such obligations.

Disclosing to secure legal advice about compliance is permitted too, because obtaining advice about whether the lawyer’s conduct complies with the rules is itself an allowed purpose to reveal information, as long as the disclosure is reasonably necessary for that purpose.

Soliciting new clients is not a permissible basis for disclosure. Using confidential information to attract business or to market services breaches the duty of confidentiality and has no bearing on protecting life, complying with court rules, or seeking legitimate legal guidance.

So the option about soliciting new clients is the one that does not fit within the allowed exceptions.