Opinion 92-83

June 18, 1992

Digest:         A judge may lecture on trial technique for bar and other civic associations, and may receive compensation and reimbursement for actual expenses.

Rule:            22 NYCRR 100.4(a); 100.6.

Opinion:

         A full-time judge asks if he or she may give lectures about trial technique to bar associations and other civic associations, and may receive compensation and reimbursement for actual travel, food and lodging expenses in connection with these lectures.

         Section 100.4(a) of the Rules of the Chief Administrator permits judges to lecture concerning the law and the legal system, while section 100.5(a) permits judges to lecture on nonlegal subjects as well. Section 100.6 allows judges to receive “compensation and reimbursement of expenses for the quasi-judicial and extra-judicial activities permitted by this Part...”

         Thus the judge may lecture about trial technique before these organizations and may receive reasonable compensation and expense reimbursement for the actual cost of travel, food and lodging incurred by the judge.