What ethical principle governs the loyalty of lawyers to their clients upon termination of representation?

The ethical principle that governs the loyalty of lawyers to their clients upon termination of representation is the continuing duty of confidentiality. This duty requires attorneys to maintain the confidentiality of all information related to the representation of a client, even after the attorney-client relationship has ended.

This principle is rooted in the premise that a client must be able to trust their lawyer to keep sensitive information private, fostering open communication without fear of exposure. The obligation to uphold confidentiality continues indefinitely, protecting past clients from potential misuse of their information. This ensures that clients feel secure in discussing all relevant matters with their attorney during the representation period, knowing that their privacy will remain intact long after the relationship has concluded.

In contrast to the correct answer, the other options do not adequately encapsulate the principle of loyalty and ongoing obligations that lawyers have toward their clients once representation has terminated. For example, disclosing all client communications is not only impractical but would breach the confidentiality that is critical to the attorney-client relationship. The right to profit from former clients is not supported ethically, as a lawyer cannot exploit previous client relationships for personal gain. Lastly, the expectation of future representation may exist, but it does not pertain directly to the ongoing duties a lawyer has to maintain client confidentiality after the termination of