Judicial Ethics Committee Opinions - 2007

• 07-1

  May a judge introduce the keynote speaker at an event which is primarily commemorative but at which a fee is charged to attendees to cover the cost of the meal and excess funds are used for a scholarship fund for the benefit of a particular group?

• 07-2

May a newly appointed judge sever his financial and business interests in the law firm of which he is presently a shareholder and continue to temporarily maintain a general partnership with his prior partners who own the law firm’s building and a separate L.L.C. whose sole asset is a piece of real estate taken as fees for past legal work done by the law firm?

• 07-3

  (1) May a quote by the judge, the judge’s name, and the judge’s title appear on a letter soliciting funds for a not-for-profit organization?

  (2) If not, should the author of the solicitation letter be asked to remove the judge’s quote, name, and title from the letter?

  (3) May the judge make a private donation to the not-for-profit organization in response to the solicitation letter?

• 07-4

May a judge send a letter of recommendation on behalf of a high school student, at the request of that student, who seeks to attend a particular college?