Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, We recently mediated a litigation matter for a demanding and difficult client whom I was happy to put in the rearview mirror. This morning, a couple of days after the settlement agreement was signed, and the client’s check conveyed, I ran into the client at a coffee shop. He pulled me aside and said he was really happy to have settled the case so easily, because (looking sheepish) it could have gone so much worse for him had the other side learned about some bad documents that he had kept in his drawer and not produced.

Shocked, I told the client we’d never work for him again, and that I’d have to consider what to do about his disclosure. He immediately said that I should do nothing because what he told me about the documents being withheld was privileged and confidential, and besides the matter was over now. Back at my office, I checked the status of the Order of Dismissal agreed to as part of the settlement. I learned that it has been submitted to the Court for signature, but has not yet been signed or filed. Do I have any obligation to do anything? Does the attorney-client privilege or Rule 1.6 mean I cannot reveal the client’s admission? Can I or should I tell anyone?