Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 14, April 6, 2024
Rule 1.6 - Confidentiality of Information(a) A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent, except for disclosures that are impliedly authorized in order to carry out the representation, and except as stated in paragraphs (b) and (c).(b) A lawyer shall reveal such information if necessary to comply with the duties stated in 3.3.(c) A lawyer may reveal such information to the extent that the lawyer reasonably believes necessary: (1) to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm;(2) to prevent the client from committing a criminal act that the lawyer believes is likely to result in substantial injury to the financial interests or property of another;(3) to prevent, mitigate or rectify the consequences of a client's criminal or fraudulent act in the commission of which the lawyer's services are being or had been used;(4) to establish a claim or defense on behalf of the lawyer in a controversy between the lawyer and the client, to establish a defense to a criminal charge or civil claim or disciplinary proceeding against the lawyer based upon conduct in which the client was involved, or to respond to allegations in any proceeding concerning the lawyer's representation of the client;(5) to secure legal advice about the lawyer's compliance with these Rules;(6) to effectuate the sale of a law practice consistent with Rule 1.17;(7) to detect and resolve conflicts of interest from the lawyer's change of employment or from changes in the composition or ownership of a firm, but only if the revealed information would not compromise the attorney-client privilege or otherwise prejudice the client; or(8) to comply with other law or court order.(d) A lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, information relating to the representation of a client.(e) The duty not to reveal information relating to representation of a client continues after the client-lawyer relationship has terminated.The provisions of this Rule 1.6 amended May 17, 2012, effective in 30 days, 42 Pa.B. 3127; amended October 22, 2013, effective in 30 days, 43 Pa.B. 6641; amended April 23, 2018, effective 7/1/2018, 48 Pa.B. 2582; amended August 15, 2019, effective in 30 days, 49 Pa.B. 4940.