Opinion 12-15

March 19, 2012

Dear Justice:

         This responds to your inquiry (12-15) asking whether your principal law clerk may continue on the board of directors of a charitable organization whose mission is “to connect, inspire and empower peacebuilders through education and the arts.”

You state that the organization does not engage in lobbying or politics, and your law clerk will not be involved in fund-raising activities or in providing legal services.

         The Committee has previously determined that there is generally no ethical prohibition to a judge allowing his/her law clerk to be on the board of a charitable organization.

         Enclosed, for your convenience, are Opinions 98-143, 97-139, 95-51 and 90-85 which address this issue.

                                                Very truly yours,

George D. Marlow, Assoc. Justice

Appellate Division, First Dept. (Ret.)

Committee Chair

Encls.