Committee On Judicial Ethic

September 22, 2022 | New York Law Journal

A full-time judge may serve as president of a local YMCA and serve on its multi-task capital project committee consistent with generally applicable limitations on judicial speech and conduct, but must not personally participate in fund-raising or grant applications or provide legal advice.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

September 21, 2022 | New York Law Journal

On the facts presented, a new full-time judge may continue to negotiate with their former law firm regarding the disposition of a limited liability company in which they both own a 50% interest, as long as negotiations are in good faith by both sides and the judge continues to take no active role in management of the building or operation of the business.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read

September 20, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Where a judge's first-degree relative is an entry-level staff attorney with a not-for-profit legal services provider, in a division or unit that has absolutely no involvement in the kinds of matters that come before the judge's court, the judge may preside in matters involving other attorneys of the same legal services provider. Neither disclosure nor disqualification is required, as long as the judge is satisfied their relative has had, and is likely to have, absolutely no involvement with the case.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

3 minute read

September 19, 2022 | New York Law Journal

A full-time judge, previously employed as an attorney in a not-for-profit labor union's legal services office, and who upon retirement will be eligible for a pension and medical benefits through the union is permanently disqualified in cases where the judge participated in any way as an attorney, whether in a personal or supervisory capacity.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read

September 18, 2022 | New York Law Journal

A full-time judge is prohibited from serving as a member of the board of directors for the New York Civil Liberties Union.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read

September 15, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Whether a judge must or may conduct an inquiry into a potential conflict of interest arising from the pending prosecution of a criminal defense attorney presents a legal question beyond the jurisdiction of this Committee.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

September 08, 2022 | New York Law Journal

May a judge, who previously served as a prosecutor in the court where they now preside (1) sign "post dispositional documents" such as probation transfers, warrants, declaration of delinquencies, Securing Orders/Orders to Produce; and (2) conduct an arraignment of a particular individual in a matter where the judge would ordinarily be disqualified, and then "upon completion of the arraignment immediately disqualify" from the matter?

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

3 minute read

September 07, 2022 | New York Law Journal

May a judge provide a testimonial for use in a not-for-profit organization's marketing materials, including their website, handbook, and social media pages?

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

September 06, 2022 | New York Law Journal

May a part-time lawyer judge complete the Part 36 assignments they received as a receiver and referee before assuming the bench, even though they may not accept any new Part 36 assignments?

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

September 05, 2022 | New York Law Journal

Where a judge was previously a social services provider to criminal defendant clients, the judge must disqualify if one of those clients appears before the judge on the same case.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

9 minute read