Model Rule 7.3 prohibits direct solicitation in which scenario?

• A. In-person or real-time electronic solicitation of prospective clients with whom the lawyer has no prior professional relationship.
• B. Solicitation of existing clients by mail.
• C. Solicitation during a trial with the client present.
• D. Solicitation by a former client.

Answer: (A)

Direct solicitation under Model Rule 7.3 targets how lawyers reach out to people who haven’t already shown interest or engaged the lawyer for legal services. The rule prohibits live, direct contact—such as in person or real-time electronic communications—made for the purpose of obtaining professional employment from prospective clients with whom the lawyer has no prior professional relationship. In the described scenario, the lawyer is reaching out directly in a live way to someone who hasn’t had a prior attorney-client connection, which is exactly the conduct the rule bars. The other situations involve either current or former clients, or non-live communications, which fall outside this strict live-solicitation prohibition. So the prohibition is about the live, direct approach to someone with no existing relationship, making that scenario the one the rule forbids.