Opinion 16-40

March 29, 2016

Dear :

         This responds to your inquiry (16-40) asking if a judge who is a member and officer of a specialized bar association may sign the association’s certificate of incorporation.

         This Committee has previously advised that a judge may be listed as a incorporator of an Hispanic fraternal organization. However, the judge may not use his/her formal judicial designation on the certificate of incorporation nor should the judge’s chambers be designated as the address for the organization.

         Enclosed, for your convenience, is Opinion 96-98 which addresses this issue.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       George D. Marlow, Assoc. Justice

                                       Appellate Division, First Dept. (Ret.)

                                       Committee Chair

Enc.