This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
When a lawyer speaks to a lawmaking body or a government agency on behalf of a client, but the situation is not a formal hearing or trial, the lawyer still has to follow certain honesty rules. First, the lawyer must make it clear they are speaking for a client, not just sharing their own personal views.
The lawyer also has to be truthful with the legislative body or agency. This means they cannot lie about facts or law, cannot hide information that would prevent a fraud from happening, and must correct the record if they later learn something they said was false. These rules come from part of Rule 3.3, which normally applies to courtroom conduct, but they also apply here.
On top of that, the lawyer cannot destroy evidence, encourage a witness to avoid testifying, or break laws about obtaining evidence. These duties come from Rule 3.4. Finally, the lawyer must follow Rule 3.5, which bans trying to improperly influence a judge, juror, or official through bribery, backdoor conversations, or other unfair pressure. In short, even outside a courtroom, a lawyer representing someone in front of government decision makers still has to act honestly and fairly, just like they would in a real trial.
