Opinion 14-38

April 8, 2014

Dear :

         This responds to your inquiry (14-38) asking whether it is ethically permissible for you to accompany your sibling, a pro-se litigant, to court in another state.

         The Committee has previously determined it ethically permissible for a judge to accompany a relative to court for emotional support provided the court is not one in which he/she presides; the judge does not act as an attorney in the matter; the judge does not have any ex parte contact with the judge presiding over the matter; and the judge does not invoke his/her judicial office or otherwise lend the prestige of judicial office for his/her relative’s benefit.

         Enclosed, for your convenience, is Opinion 12-143 which addresses this issue.

                                       Very truly yours,

George D. Marlow, Assoc. Justice

Appellate Division, First Dept. (Ret.)

Committee Chair

Encl.