Monika Kozak

June 02, 2024 | New York Law Journal

The facts presented do not require the inquiring judge to disclose or disqualify in other matters beyond what the judge already plans to do.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

May 30, 2024 | New York Law Journal

(1) Subject to certain limitations, a part-time lawyer judge may serve as an assistant county attorney in the General Legal Services division, providing legal advice and services to the county clerk, to the board of elections, and on insurance matters, public health matters, purchasing, and real estate transactions.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

11 minute read

May 29, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Because generating and maintaining an extensive library of educational videos on conflict resolution on a judge's personal social media account(s) will readily be perceived as a campaign of self-promotion, it is only ethically permissible during the judge's window period.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read

May 28, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A judge may consult with another judge on a matter over which the other judge has appellate jurisdiction without violating the Rules Governing Judicial Conduct, but the practice is ill-advised.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read

May 27, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A judge may congratulate successful youth part participants with a handwritten note, but may not include the note in a gift bag of commercially branded promotional items.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

May 23, 2024 | New York Law Journal

(1) A judge need not disqualify from matters involving an attorney who is no more than an acquaintance, merely because the attorney's spouse is the judge's close personal friend. (2) For two years after attending the attorney's wedding as a member of the wedding party at the request of the judge's close personal friend, the judge must make full disclosure of his/her relationship with the attorney, including the judge's attendance and participation in the attorney's wedding.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read

May 22, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A part-time lawyer judge is disqualified, subject to remittal, in all matters involving an attorney who is employed by the judge's client as in-house counsel and operations manager and serves as the judge's primary client contact.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

May 21, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Judicial candidates may reimburse a political party their proportionate share of the reasonable attorneys' fees actually incurred by the party in litigation related to their ballot status in a campaign.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

May 20, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A village justice who formerly served as a special prosecutor for Vehicle and Traffic Law matters: (1) May preside in matters where the village justice was not involved in any manner during his/her prior employment as special prosecutor.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

9 minute read

May 19, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A judge may attend generic cultural/holiday celebrations hosted by elected public officials, where such events are free and open to the public and are paid for by state/government funds rather than campaign funds.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read