Monika Kozak

October 24, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A part-time town justice may also serve as appointed village treasurer of a village within the town.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

October 23, 2024 | New York Law Journal

During the applicable window period, a village justice who is a judicial candidate may (1) use the title "Judge" in campaign materials and (2) use a domain name such as "judge[surname].com" for his/her campaign website.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

October 22, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Where a judge's cousin is an employee of a residential holding company and one of several non-lawyers who regularly appear as the company's agent in eviction proceedings, the judge (1) must disqualify in matters involving the judge's cousin but (2) may preside in eviction proceedings brought by other agents of the residential holding company, provided the judge is satisfied that his/her cousin is not likely to be a material witness and the judge can be fair and impartial.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read

October 21, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Where the relationship between the judge and a former client completely ended more than two years ago, including payment of legal fees, that former attorney/client relationship does not bar the judge from considering the former client's application for a pistol permit.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

2 minute read

October 20, 2024 | New York Law Journal

(1) A judge who is a former assistant district attorney need not disqualify from unrelated civil matters involving individuals who were investigated or prosecuted by the judge or his/her subordinates during the judge's tenure. (2) A judge's impartiality cannot reasonably be questioned in a matter merely because one of the litigants is an attorney the judge knows professionally from practicing law and engaging in bar association activities over the course of many years.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read

October 17, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A county court judge may participate in judicial associations with the judges of the local courts over which the judge exercises appellate jurisdiction.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

3 minute read

October 16, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A town justice need not disqualify from cases involving tickets issued by his/her co-judge in the co-judge's former capacity as a law enforcement officer.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read

October 15, 2024 | New York Law Journal

On the facts presented, a judge may not accept a practicing attorney as a volunteer in chambers, where that attorney is currently a judicial candidate seeking election to judicial office.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

3 minute read

October 14, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A judge who determines there is a substantial likelihood that an attorney failed to maintain client funds in an escrow account must report the conduct to a disciplinary authority.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

3 minute read

October 10, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A supervising judge may further judicial education by (1) distributing a scholarly outline concerning counsel fees in a specialized civil practice area to the jurists under his/her supervision, and (2) hosting a "lunch and learn" program for judges and court personnel which presents outside speakers, provided the overall program is balanced and impartial.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read