Holiday parties are great times to socialize and network with colleagues.  But the casual atmosphere and the sometimes-plentiful adult beverages can also tempt you to tell war stories that reveal too much about your past clients, potentially violating your continuing duty of confidentiality under Model Rule 1.9.  But what’s “too much”?  If something about a previous case or transaction you were involved in is in the news, or is contained in court pleadings, can you discuss it?

The simple answer is “Not really.”  Model Rule 1.9(c)(2) says that you have the same duty not to reveal information relating to the representation of your former client as you do to a current client.  That’s a very broad duty:  it extends to all information “relating to the representation” (i.e., much broader than the attorney-client evidentiary privilege).  That effectively rules out war stories that would be detailed enough to let your audience figure out who you are talking about.

When is former-client info “generally known”?

Outside of the cocktail party context, how about using information adverse to a former client?  For instance, you might be in a position to use information you have acquired about the workings of a former client’s business without actually revealing it.  Rule 1.9(c)(1) says that such use is prohibited, subject to an interesting exception — it can be used “when the information has become generally known.”  That seems like a common-sense exception that strikes an appropriate balance between the former client’s valid interest in continuing confidentiality and the fact that you are no longer counsel to that client.

However, the definition of “generally known” can seem pretty narrow.  Last year, we wrote about a disqualification case holding that even information that’s “of record” in a court file may not be “generally known” for purposes of meeting the exception.  Now comes the ABA Ethics Committee’s take on that issue, published last week.

In Opinion 479, the committee agreed that information is “not generally known merely because it is publicly available or …[is] a matter of public record,” and noted numerous authorities that have reached that conclusion.  So when is former-client information “generally known”?

Citing New York rules commentator Roy Simon and a 2013 New York state ethics opinion, the ABA committee said that for Rule 1.9 purposes, information is generally known under two circumstances:

  • it’s widely recognized by the public in the relevant locale; or
  • it’s widely recognized in the former client’s industry, profession or trade.

“Workable definition”

This “workable definition,” said the ABA committee, encompasses publicity through traditional media sources, the internet and through social media — channels that can lead to public notoriety.  And publicity in leading sources in a particular field can meet the “generally known” test if members of the industry, trade or profession would widely recognize those sources.  “Information may be widely recognized within a former client’s industry, profession, or trade without being widely recognized by the public,” said the ABA committee.

But the committee reiterated that unless information has become widely recognized by the pubic, or within the former client’s industry, the fact that the information may have been discussed in open court, or may be available in court records does not necessarily signal that it is “generally known.”

Party safely and ethically

When you’re at a holiday gathering with your brother- and sister-members of the bar, have fun — but at the same time, watch what you imbibe (and designate a driver) and watch what you say.  Being judicious in both regards is the best way to enjoy the season without regret.