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

• A. To solicit new clients
• B. To prevent death or substantial bodily harm
• C. To prevent crime or fraud
• D. To secure legal advice about compliance

Answer: (A)

Disclosing confidential information is allowed only in narrowly defined situations where it’s needed to protect people or the lawyer’s own compliance, not to further the lawyer’s business interests. The allowed bases include disclosures to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm; to prevent crime or fraud that is reasonably certain to cause substantial financial injury or property damage; and to obtain or secure legal advice about compliance with the rules. Because soliciting new clients is not one of these permitted bases and would defeat the purpose of confidentiality, it isn’t allowed. Therefore, the option about soliciting new clients is the not-permissible basis.