Committee On Judicial Ethic

July 26, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Where a judge has made a statutorily required allocution concerning an unrepresented tenant's potential claims and defenses, and the tenant says they do not understand them, there is no ethical impropriety in offering the tenant a document prepared and posted by the Unified Court System for public information, entitled "Common Defenses in a Landlord-Tenant Case." However, the judge should not recommend any particular defense listed.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read

July 25, 2023 | New York Law Journal

May a judge preside in matters involving a non-profit organization for which the judge previously served as an uncompensated board member, given that the judge resigned from the board shortly before assuming judicial office?

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

July 24, 2023 | New York Law Journal

May a court attorney-referee serve as a board member on a county board of ethics in a different county, where the board hears complaints and makes recommendations regarding sanctions?

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

July 23, 2023 | New York Law Journal

May a judge preside in a landlord's petition for nonpayment against certain tenants, given that, in the course of presiding in a code violation case, the judge learned the tenants vacated the premises over a month ago?

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

July 20, 2023 | New York Law Journal

A judge may take appropriate action to address disruptions of the court's docket by an attorney who, when regularly appearing of counsel to multiple law firms, engages in disrespectful conduct toward the court and staff, is uncooperative, refuses to discuss settlement of cases and is often unprepared.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

July 19, 2023 | New York Law Journal

A judge may serve on a bar association's board of directors, even if another board member is a judicial candidate and the subject of unfavorable media attention concerning allegations of illegal drug use and dishonesty.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

3 minute read

July 18, 2023 | New York Law Journal

A judge who has been properly noticed to serve on a grand jury panel must report for service unless excused by the presiding judge, notwithstanding that many assistant district attorneys appear before them.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

July 17, 2023 | New York Law Journal

A part-time judge may serve as a volunteer ombudsman under the New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, but must disqualify in any case involving the program or its participants.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read

July 16, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Where a judge is aware that their third-degree relative (a niece, nephew, aunt, or uncle) has consulted with and/or retained an attorney in a matrimonial matter, may the judge preside in unrelated cases where the relative's attorney represents other clients? Is disclosure necessary?

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

July 13, 2023 | New York Law Journal

A judge may attend the wedding of an attorney who regularly appears in the judge's court, provided the attorney is not on trial before the judge at the time of the event. For two years thereafter, the judge must disclose his/her attendance as a wedding guest when the attorney appears in the judge's court.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read