What is required for a lawyer to communicate with a represented person?

In order for a lawyer to communicate with a person who is already represented by another lawyer, it is essential to obtain consent from that person's lawyer. This requirement is grounded in the ethical standards that govern the conduct of lawyers, which aim to protect the integrity of the attorney-client relationship and the represented person's rights.

The rationale behind this rule is to respect the boundaries established by the representation. Contacting a represented individual without the consent of their counsel could undermine the existing legal representation and potentially lead to unethical behavior, such as the solicitation of confidential information. Therefore, consent ensures that the communication is permissible and does not violate the representational authority of the other lawyer.

In contrast, other options like notification to the court, written confirmation of the communication, or verbal permission from the represented person do not align with the ethical requirements. None of these alternatives adequately secures the respect for the attorney-client relationship that is foundational to legal ethics.