Opinion 23-149

Short-Form Opinion

December 14, 2023

Question:     A new full-time judge may retain the lease of the office previously used for the judge’s solo legal practice, where the lease is in the name of the judge and not the law firm under which the judge was doing business.

Discussion:   We have previously advised that a housing court judge may rent an apartment in a building owned by a landlord who was a former client of the judge.  We noted “Nothing in the rules of judicial ethics prevents the inquirer from renting the apartment.  The judge, however, may not preside over any matters involving the landlord or the building.”  Here, too, the judge may continue to rent the office for personal purposes, with the same caveat. 

Enclosed:     Opinions 18-179; 17-143; 91-150.