What is meant by "substantially related" in the context of former client conflicts?

"Substantially related" in the context of former client conflicts specifically addresses situations where the new legal matter shares a significant connection to the prior representation. This concept is crucial for safeguarding client confidences and ensuring that a lawyer does not inadvertently use sensitive information obtained from a previous client to the latter's disadvantage.

When a matter is deemed to be substantially related, it suggests that the lawyer could potentially exploit confidential information or insights gained during the previous representation in the new case. This risk underscores the ethical obligation of lawyers to avoid conflicts of interest and protects the integrity of the attorney-client privilege.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of what constitutes "substantially related." For instance, merely having different legal grounds does not prevent potential conflicts arising from shared confidences. Similarly, the outcome of new cases mirroring previous ones or involving similar legal terms does not adequately address the ethical implications concerning the use of confidential information from prior clients. The core principle rests on the shared context and potential for misuse of confidential knowledge between the matters.