What does Rule 7.3 state regarding direct solicitations by lawyers?

Rule 7.3 addresses the ethical considerations surrounding direct solicitation by lawyers, particularly with respect to in-person or telephonic communications to potential clients. The rule is designed to protect the public from undue influence and overreaching by attorneys in their pursuit of clients, particularly when those potential clients may be vulnerable or in need of legal assistance.

The provision specifically prohibits in-person solicitation of clients when it is motivated by the potential for financial gain unless the solicitation occurs under certain conditions, such as when the potential client has a prior professional relationship with the lawyer or when the prospective client has requested the lawyer to contact them. This careful balancing seeks to ensure that any outreach to potential clients is appropriate and respectful, while still allowing for legitimate avenues of communication under specific circumstances.

The other options, while they may contain elements related to the solicitation context, do not accurately reflect the restrictions and allowances specified in Rule 7.3. They either misstate the intent of the rule or suggest practices that are not condoned under the professional conduct guidelines. Thus, the correct understanding of Rule 7.3 centers around the limitations placed on in-person solicitation for financial gain and the conditions under which exceptions apply.