TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Dec 3, 2025

The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility has issued Formal Opinion 519 to provide guidance on disclosure and confidentiality rules when a lawyer moves to withdraw from representation. The opinion states that a lawyer’s motion to withdraw is subject to the broad duty of confidentiality, and unless an explicit exception applies or the client provides informed consent, the lawyer may not reveal “information relating to the representation” in the motion. The opinion also addresses how a lawyer should respond if a judge seeks more information and the duty of confidentiality if the motion is denied. Read more in a news release from the association.