Under Rule 4.2, a lawyer shall not communicate about the subject of representation with a person who is represented in the matter unless

Under Rule 4.2, a lawyer shall not communicate about the subject of representation with a person who is represented in the matter unless

• A. The client consents in writing.
• B. Consent of the other lawyer or a court order is obtained.
• C. The person is unrepresented.
• D. The communication concerns only administrative matters.

Answer: (B)

Rule 4.2 prohibits a lawyer from communicating about the subject of the representation with a person known to be represented by another lawyer, unless the other lawyer consents or a court orders the communication. This protects the relationship between the represented person and their own counsel and prevents bypassing or pressuring the other side’s lawyer. The correct answer captures the only valid permission to override that prohibition: consent of the other lawyer or a court order. A client’s written consent does not suffice, because the rule is about communicating with the represented person, not about the client’s authorization. If the person were unrepresented, there would be no restriction. There isn’t a general exception for administrative matters—the restriction applies to the subject of the representation itself, regardless of whether the discussion is substantive or administrative.

Rule 4.2 prohibits a lawyer from communicating about the subject of the representation with a person known to be represented by another lawyer, unless the other lawyer consents or a court orders the communication. This protects the relationship between the represented person and their own counsel and prevents bypassing or pressuring the other side’s lawyer. The correct answer captures the only valid permission to override that prohibition: consent of the other lawyer or a court order. A client’s written consent does not suffice, because the rule is about communicating with the represented person, not about the client’s authorization. If the person were unrepresented, there would be no restriction. There isn’t a general exception for administrative matters—the restriction applies to the subject of the representation itself, regardless of whether the discussion is substantive or administrative.