Opinion 12-85(A)

September 5, 2012

Dear Judge:

         This responds to that part of your inquiry (12-85) asking what ethical obligations arise when attorneys with whom you have a social relationship, only submit papers, without actually appearing, in a matter assigned to you.

         The Committee has recently identified three specific categories of interpersonal relationships between judges and lawyers which, in turn, trigger the judge’s ethical obligations (see Opinion 11-125).

         Enclosed, for your convenience, is Opinion 11-125 which defines in detail the specific categories of social relationships between judges and lawyers (i.e. acquaintance, close social relationship, close personal relationship) and the judge’s concomitant ethics obligations (i.e. disclosure, recusal, disqualification).

                                                 Very truly yours,

                                                 George D. Marlow, Assoc. Justice

Appellate Division, First Dept. (Ret.)

Committee Chair

Enc.