What key requirement does Rule 1.12 impose concerning former judges and arbitrators?

Rule 1.12 specifically addresses the conduct of former judges and arbitrators to ensure the integrity and impartiality of the legal system. The key requirement it imposes is that former judges are prohibited from representing clients in matters where they had significant involvement while serving in their official capacity. This prohibition aims to prevent any potential conflicts of interest and to maintain public confidence in the impartiality of judicial proceedings.

While there are various provisions regarding former judges and their ability to transition into private practice, the focus of Rule 1.12 is specifically on preventing representation in matters where the former judges had previously engaged in decision-making or significant involvement. This rule is designed to protect the fairness of the judicial process and avoid any appearance of impropriety that could arise from a former judge handling cases that they previously influenced.

In this context, other choices do not align with the rule's requirements: allowing unrestricted representation overlooks potential conflicts, the obligation to inform clients about past roles is not a specific requirement of Rule 1.12, and the idea of a simple cooling-off period does not account for the significant involvement aspect that the rule emphasizes.