Joint Opinion 92-70/92-84

September 24, 1992

Digest:         A town judge may place a congratulatory message or advertisement in a fundraising journal of a charitable or professional organization.

Rules:          22 NYCRR 100.5(b)(2).

Opinion:

         Two judges inquire whether they may place a congratulatory message or advertisement in a charitable or professional organization’s journal, which will be used for fundraising purposes.

         Section 100.5(b)(2) of the Rules of the Chief Administrator governs the involvement of judges in fundraising events, and prohibits judges’ solicitation of funds and the listing of a judge’s name or office on stationery which will be used for fundraising. It also prohibits a judge from serving as a guest of honor or a speaker at any organization’s fundraising event unless the organization is a bar association or a law school.

         Here, however, the placement of a congratulatory message or advertisement is simply a contribution to the charity or professional organization, and does not involve the solicitation of funds. Judges are not prohibited from contributing to charities or professional, nonpolitical organizations, and thus, may place the messages in the journals.