Short answer: Possibly, but only a narrow slice. Real estate 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 real estate law matter files include:
- Closing files with Social Security numbers and loan documents
- Wire and bank-account instructions
- Title commitments, surveys and lease negotiations
- Purchase prices and deal terms
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
- Closing checklists and timelines
- Blank purchase-agreement and lease templates
- Title-review and document-collection workflows
- Vendor coordination procedures
These are candidates for review with ethics counsel, not a list of approved items.
Payment data and closing files
Closing files concentrate identity numbers and bank details. Keep health records, payment card data and children's data out of scope entirely: each has its own legal rules, and a buyer's de-identification doesn't change that. Bank and wire instructions should be excluded at the source, not left to de-identification.
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Are recorded deeds public?
Recorded documents are public, but your file around them is client information.
Does a closing practice count as legal for Mode's 10+ rule?
Mode lists 'legal' at 10+. Ask Mode how it classifies a firm that also runs a title or escrow business, since title and escrow companies are on its not-a-fit list.
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
- Mode affiliate FAQ (PDF, dated Oct 14, 2026)bizbuydata.com
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.
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