Under what circumstance may a lawyer reveal confidential information?

A lawyer is permitted to reveal confidential information to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm due to the ethical obligation to protect individuals from serious harm. This exception is explicitly outlined in the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which recognize that preserving client confidentiality is critical, but this confidentiality must be balanced against the need to prevent significant harm to others.

In cases where a lawyer knows there is a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury, the imperative to act in a way that might mitigate that harm takes precedence. This provision ensures that legal professionals can take necessary steps when the welfare of a person is at serious risk, aligning the legal profession’s ethical responsibilities with broader societal interests.

Other options do not provide justified or permissible circumstances under the Model Rules for disclosing confidential information. Gaining an advantage in unrelated cases does not align with ethical practice, as it could compromise client trust and violate professional obligations. Believing that disclosure might benefit another client does not provide sufficient justification for revealing another's confidential information without consent. Finally, disclosing information for any legally permissible reason at their discretion is overly broad and does not reflect the restrictions set by the Rules designed to protect client confidentiality.