Opinion 08-224

December 17, 2008

Dear Mr. :

         This responds to your inquiry (08-224) in which you ask whether you may act as a “consultant” to an attorney after you take office as a full-time City Court Judge commencing January 1, 2009. Please be advised that the Rules Governing Judicial Conduct prohibit a full-time judge from practicing law. The specific type of arrangements described in your inquiry regarding, inter alia, attribution for the work product, client contact and fee arrangements, does not negate the underlying nature of the consulting service, i.e., the practice of law. Therefore, you are not exempt from this prohibition.

Very truly yours,

George D. Marlow

Justice of the Supreme Court

Committee Chair