Opinion 02-46

June 7, 2002

Digest:         A judge may participate in the organization and administration of a law school alumni event to honor the school’s alumni who serve as judges and judicial officers in the United States and around the world, provided that the judge's role does not involve fund-raising or otherwise interfere with the judge's judicial duties.

Rules:          22 NYCRR 100.4(A)(3); 100.4(C)(3)(b); Opinions 99-43 (Vol. XVII); 99-121 (Vol. XVIII); 99-141 (Vol. XVIII); 02-79.

Opinion:

A judge has been asked to participate in the organization and administration of a law school alumni event to honor the school’s alumni who serve as judges and judicial officers in the United States and around the world. The program would be self-supporting and sponsored by corporations and law firms. The judge would not be involved in the solicitation of funding from potential sponsors. In addition, the inquiring judge and other judges who attend will be offered a lower registration fee than non-judges who attend. The judge inquires if he/she may attend and assist in the organization of this event.

This committee has previously stated that a judge may serve on a law school reunion and reception dinner committee, and may assist at and attend other law school events provided that the judge's role does not involve fund-raising or otherwise interfere with the judge's judicial duties. Opinions 99-43 (Vol. XVII); 99-121 (Vol. XVIII); 02-79; 22 NYCRR 100.4(A)(3); 100.4(C)(3)(b). In addition, the judge may use judicial stationery to invite fellow alumni to attend as long as the stationery is clearly marked “Personal and Unofficial. Opinion 99-141 (Vol. XVIII).

Clearly, this function is similar to those described in the above-mentioned precedents. The fact that judges will be offered reduced registration fees and that corporations and law firms will be solicited to provide funding would not prevent the judge from assisting in the organization of the event or attending the event as long as the judge is not personally involved in the solicitation.

In sum, a judge may participate in the organization and administration of a law school alumni event to honor the school’s alumni who serve as judges and judicial officers in the United States and around the world, provided that the judge's role does not involve fund-raising or otherwise interfere with the judge's judicial duties.