Which statement about confidentiality is true?

Which statement about confidentiality is true?

• A. Confidentiality includes information related to the representation that should be protected with limited exceptions.
• B. Confidentiality requires disclosure to all clients' families.
• C. Confidentiality can be waived in any civil matter.
• D. Confidentiality never permits disclosure to prevent harm.

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality covers all information relating to the representation, and it stays in place with only limited, clearly defined exceptions. The best statement reflects that duty: information the lawyer learns about the client or the representation must be protected, and disclosure is allowed only when a specific exception applies. In practice, that means you don’t reveal every detail to anyone who asks, and you don’t automatically disclose to family members or others just because they’re close to the client. You also don’t treat confidentiality as something that can be waived in any civil matter; waivers typically require the client's consent or a proper legal exception, not blanket permission across all civil cases. And while confidentiality does restrict disclosures, there are legitimate exceptions—such as to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm or to prevent a crime or fraud—that allow disclosure when necessary to protect people or the integrity of the justice system. So the statement that confidentiality includes information related to the representation that should be protected with limited exceptions best captures how the duty actually works.

Confidentiality covers all information relating to the representation, and it stays in place with only limited, clearly defined exceptions. The best statement reflects that duty: information the lawyer learns about the client or the representation must be protected, and disclosure is allowed only when a specific exception applies.

In practice, that means you don’t reveal every detail to anyone who asks, and you don’t automatically disclose to family members or others just because they’re close to the client. You also don’t treat confidentiality as something that can be waived in any civil matter; waivers typically require the client's consent or a proper legal exception, not blanket permission across all civil cases. And while confidentiality does restrict disclosures, there are legitimate exceptions—such as to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm or to prevent a crime or fraud—that allow disclosure when necessary to protect people or the integrity of the justice system.

So the statement that confidentiality includes information related to the representation that should be protected with limited exceptions best captures how the duty actually works.