Short answer: Possibly, but only a narrow slice. Bankruptcy law files are full of client information that confidentiality rules protect, so the realistic scope is firm-owned operating material. On size, Mode's minimum for legal is 10 employees; micro1 asks for 30+.
On this page
What these files hold
Typical bankruptcy matter files include:
- Debtors' full financial pictures: income, debts, assets
- Tax returns and pay stubs
- Creditor lists and collection history
- Notes on why the client is in financial trouble
ABA Model Rule 1.6(a) bars revealing information relating to the representation of a client without informed consent or an exception (Rule 1.6), and Rule 1.9 carries duties to former clients (Rule 1.9). Your state's version is the one that binds you.
What a firm might consider instead
- Blank intake and document-request checklists
- Means-test and filing workflows at process level
- Court-calendar and deadline procedures
- Client-education materials the firm wrote
These are candidates for review with ethics counsel, not a list of approved items.
Public filings are still client information
Bankruptcy schedules are filed with the court, but Rule 1.6 covers 'information relating to the representation of a client', not just secrets (Rule 1.6). Tax returns in your files may also be covered by IRC 7216 if your firm prepared them (26 U.S.C. § 7216).
Size and program fit
Mode lists minimum team sizes of 10+ employees for legal, 15+ for accounting, medical and finance, and 50+ for all other businesses, for companies based in the US, Canada, the UK or Australia with several years of records they own (Mode). micro1 asks for 30+ employees, mostly English data, and says it is prioritizing US companies (micro1). Census doesn't count firms by practice area, so the table shows all U.S. law offices.
| Industry (U.S. firms, 2022) | All firms | 10+ staff | 25+ staff | 50+ staff | 100+ staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of lawyers (NAICS 541110) | 156,583 | 17,397 | 5,620 | 2,484 | 1,151 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, detailed employment sizes. Firms (enterprises) by paid employees; contractors are not counted. Each column sums the Census size classes at or above that size.
This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to your own attorney or compliance advisor before you share or license any records.
What could your company's records be worth?
Answer 6 questions. See the published range for a company like yours and which program fits. Takes about a minute.
Frequently asked questions
If it's on PACER, can we license it?
Public availability doesn't by itself end your confidentiality duty under Rule 1.6. Ask ethics counsel before treating any matter file as public.
What could a consumer bankruptcy firm license?
High-volume, process-heavy operations: intake, document collection and deadline workflows, without client data.
Sources
- Mode / BizBuyData referral pagebizbuydata.com
- ABA Model Rule 1.6, Confidentiality of Informationamericanbar.org
- ABA Model Rule 1.9, Duties to Former Clientsamericanbar.org
- U.S. Census Bureau, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, detailed employment sizeswww2.census.gov
- micro1 company referral pagemicro1.ai
- 26 U.S.C. § 7216 (Cornell LII)law.cornell.edu
Referral-fee disclosure: we may be paid by a program if your company signs with it after using this site. General information only, not legal advice.
Compare programs
Best AI data program for a small law firm (10-29 staff)Side by side from each program's own pages. Rankings follow published rules, not referral fees.
See buyers that name law and professional-services firms, from their own pages, with sources and dates.