ABA Applies ‘No-Contact’ Rule to Lawyers Representing Themselves

A self-represented attorney may not communicate directly with a represented party about the subject of the representation, the American Bar Association said Wednesday.

Model Rule 4.2 in the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, commonly known as the “no-contact” rule, bars lawyers representing clients in a matter to communicate with another represented person in that case.

That communication rule also applies when a lawyer is self-representing, according to the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility. The language of the rule supports that conclusion, the committee said in an opinion released Wednesday.

The opinion says ...