Informal Opinion Number: 20030045
Rules: 4 dash–1.6
Client-Lawyer Relationship
Confidentiality of Information
Subject: Confidentiality
Summary: disclosure of confidential information to defend against lawsuit
QUESTION: May Attorney disclose confidential information in order to defend in a lawsuit relating to representation of the client? Attorney is personally named as a defendant.
ANSWER: It is permissible for attorney to disclose confidential information to the extent necessary for Attorney’s defense.
Informal Opinions are ethics advisory opinions issued by the Office of Legal Ethics Counsel to members of the Bar about Rule 4 (Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 5 (Complaints and Proceedings Thereon), and Rule 6 (Fees to Practice Law) pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.30(c). Written summaries of select Informal Opinions are published for informational purposes as determined by the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri pursuant to Rule 5.30(c). Informal opinion summaries are advisory in nature and are not binding. These opinions are published as an educational service and do not constitute legal advice.
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