Opinion 89-21

February 24, 1989

Topic:          Propriety of judges’ fundraising activities for a scholarship fund in a paralegal studies program.

Digest:         Judges may not raise funds for any scholarships or permit their names to appear on the letterhead of fundraising materials.

Rules:          22 NYCRR 100.5(b)(2)

Opinion:

         A judge who is chairman of an advisory board for an undergraduate university paralegal studies program inquires whether he may participate in raising funds for scholarships for the program.

         Section 100.5(b)(2) of the Rules of the Chief Administrator states:

No judge shall solicit funds for any educational, religious, charitable, fraternal or civic organization, or use or permit the use of the prestige of the office for that purpose, but may be listed as an officer, director or trustee of such an organization, provided, however, that no such listing shall be used in connection with any solicitation of funds.

         Accordingly. the judge may not participate in any fundraising activities for the paralegal program, nor may he permit his name to appear on the letterhead of any fundraising letters or other materials issued by the paralegal studies program.