What is the limitation for a former government lawyer moving to private practice concerning prior work?

A former government lawyer transitioning to private practice is bound by specific ethical rules concerning their prior work. The correct answer reflects the responsibility of the lawyer to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the information gained during their tenure in government service.

When a government lawyer takes on a private representation, they cannot work on the same matter or related matters without obtaining the consent of the government agency involved. This is designed to prevent any potential conflicts of interest and to uphold the trust placed in government attorneys by ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential and is not used to the disadvantage of the government or parties involved in the government matters.

This limitation serves to protect both the integrity of the legal profession and the public interest, recognizing the unique position that government lawyers hold. The rules are formulated to prevent any scenario where confidential government information could possibly be employed in private practice, thus avoiding any appearance of impropriety or unfair advantage.

In contrast, choices that suggest broader freedoms or consent pertaining to prior representation do not accurately capture the specific restrictions imposed to protect the interests of the government and the ethical obligations of the lawyer.