Opinion 23-22

Short-Form Opinion

March 23, 2023

Question:    May a full-time judge volunteer in a mock trial program and teach an extracurricular law class for students at a not-for-profit private high school?

Discussion:  We have previously advised that a judge may preside in a “public school-sponsored mock trial program designed to familiarize students with the functions of the courts (Opinion 96-140).  Here, we see no reason for a different result when the sponsoring school is a not-for-profit private high school.

Judges may teach law and other subjects at not-for-profit educational institutions, including high schools (see Opinions 23-02; 98-121).  Here, too, you may teach the proposed extracurricular law class, subject to generally applicable limitations on judicial speech and conduct.

Enclosed:     Opinions 23-02; 98-121; 96-140.