How does Rule 1.9 safeguard former clients?

Rule 1.9 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct is designed to protect the interests of former clients. It establishes a boundary regarding the use of information obtained during the course of a previous representation. When a lawyer has provided services to a client, the information gained during that representation is generally considered confidential, even after the attorney-client relationship has ended.

The correct option emphasizes that a lawyer cannot use information obtained from a former representation to disadvantage the former client without the latter's informed consent. This principle is crucial because it upholds the trust and confidence that clients place in their attorneys. It ensures that the obligations of confidentiality continue even after the representation concludes, thereby encouraging clients to speak freely and candidly with their lawyers, knowing that their information will be protected.

This safeguarding mechanism serves to maintain the integrity of the legal profession and the attorney-client relationship. Lawyers are bound to respect this confidential information, thereby enhancing the overall trust in the legal process. In contrast, the other options either misrepresent the ethical obligations or suggest an inappropriate interaction that would not align with the protections Rule 1.9 seeks to enforce.