Committee On Judicial Ethics

September 12, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A part-time attorney judge who is a partner in a law firm where the majority of partners are non-judges and the non-judge partners have established a political action committee in the law firm's name funded solely by voluntary contributions of individual partners, (1) must not contribute to the PAC, (2) must not participate in the PAC's operations or decision-making, and (3) must advise the law firm in writing of these limitations. If the judge is satisfied that the law firm will honor these limitations, the judge need not resign from the law firm.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read

September 11, 2024 | New York Law Journal

(1) If a judge is currently disqualified in matters involving an attorney, he/she may not appoint that attorney as assigned counsel or attorney for the child during any such disqualification period. (2) A judge who is not disqualified from matters involving an attorney must exercise his/her discretion impartially when deciding whether to appoint the attorney, with an eye to avoiding even the appearance of any improper motivation.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

September 10, 2024 | New York Law Journal

The Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics responds to a written inquiry from one of New York state's approximately 3,600 judges and justices.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

September 09, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Although a part-time judge may not serve on a school board, he/she may accept appointment as a community representative to certain advisory committees established by the school board for the local school district: (1) the judge may serve on the district-wide safety team, provided that its work focuses on policies and procedures to promote safety in the schools, and does not involve law enforcement or investigatory functions, and (2) the judge may serve on a citizens finance committee which advises the superintendent and budget officer on annual budget development, capital improvement projects, and the like.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read

August 22, 2024 | New York Law Journal

(1) A town justice may advocate for the judge's preferred schedule and scheduling policies for use of the town's multi-purpose room as a courtroom, subject to generally applicable limitations on judicial speech and conduct. (2) On these facts, while the judge may pursue lawful avenues to challenge the resolution, the judge may not simply disregard the resolution and schedule court sessions as if it had not been issued.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read

August 21, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A judge may be honored as "Woman of the Year" at a cultural not-for-profit organization's International Women's Day event, provided the event is not a fund-raiser.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

August 20, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A town justice may serve on the board of a not-for-profit organization formed to preserve and protect a nearby lake. The judge may not serve on the subcommittee that serves as a liaison with law enforcement and conservation officers, but may attend the subcommittee's annual luncheon.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read

August 19, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A town court clerk may not maintain part-time employment in the private law office of an assistant public defender assigned to the town court.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

August 18, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A judge may serve as financial secretary of a not-for-profit cemetery organization, provided the judge refrains from the solicitation of funds or other fund-raising activities.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

August 15, 2024 | New York Law Journal

(1) A judge who presides in estate proceedings may continue to serve on the board of directors of a not-for-profit hospice organization, even after the judge becomes aware that a testator named the hospice as a beneficiary in their will. (2) The judge may preside over the probate of a will that contains a bequest to the hospice, absent a challenge to the bequest. If a challenge occurs, the judge must disqualify.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read