Model Rule 4.3 prohibits what conduct with unrepresented persons?

• A. Providing legal advice beyond general information if it would create an attorney-client relationship or mislead
• B. Refusing to give any information
• C. Entering into a formal attorney-client relationship without consent
• D. Sharing confidential information from the represented party

Answer: (A)

With unrepresented persons, the lawyer’s role is to provide information about the legal process, not to act as their attorney or offer tailored legal advice. The main rule is that a lawyer may not give legal advice beyond general information if doing so would create an attorney–client relationship or mislead the person into thinking the lawyer is representing them. In practice, you can explain general procedures, typical timelines, or what happens in a type of case, but you should avoid advising on the person’s specific legal position or strategies, because that could imply you’re their lawyer. If you do provide information, you should clearly state that you are not representing them.

The other options don’t capture this core restriction. Refusing to give any information is inappropriate because you can share general, non-legal information about the process. Entering into a formal attorney–client relationship without consent would be improper, but the rule’s focus in this context is on not crossing into legal advice that could create or imply representation. Sharing confidential information from the represented party is a breach of confidentiality and not applicable to dealing with an unrepresented person.