Opinion 91-128

November 19, 1991

Dear Judge

         The Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, at its meeting of October 31, 1991, considered your inquiry 91-128, about whether a judge may speak or receive an honor at local legal services organization’s fundraising dinner.

         Section 100.4(c) of the Rules of the Chief Administrator states that a judge “shall not personally participate in fundraising activities .” Section 100.5(b)(2) of the rules prohibits a judge from serving as a speaker or guest of honor at an organization’s fundraising events. The exception contained in section 100.5(b) (2) for bar association and law school functions does not cover the activity at issue. Although the Committee initially had a threshold question as to your standing to raise this inquiry concerning an ethical issue faced by another judge, it determined to treat this question as one asked in your capacity as Administrative Judge, and therefore, it recommends that you inform the judge that the judge should not serve as speaker or guest of honor at the fundraiser.

Very truly yours,

Samuel J. Silverman

Chair