Opinion 20-47

June 26, 2020

Dear :

         This responds to your inquiry (20-47) asking whether you may serve on the board of a not-for-profit arts foundation that reviews grant applications and awards grants to promote performing arts.

The Committee has previously advised that such extra-judicial activity is permissible subject to certain limitations. Therefore, as long as you refrain from any aspect of fund-raising and do not offer legal advice, you may serve on the board. In addition, your service must not cast doubt on your ability to act impartially nor detract from the dignity of judicial office. Finally, the entity must not be regularly engaged in adversarial proceedings in any court or in any proceeding that would ordinarily come before you.

         Enclosed, for your convenience, are Opinions 19-131 and 12-108, which address this issue.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       George D. Marlow, Assoc. Justice (Ret.)

                                       Appellate Div., First Dep’t

                                       Committee Co-Chair

                                       Margaret T. Walsh

                                       Supreme Court Justice

                                       Committee Co-Chair

Encls.