Opinion 93-82

September 14, 1993

Digest:         A full-time judge may be speaker at meetings of organizations of real estate managers concerning operation of the landlord/tenant parts of the judge's court, but must avoid questions reflecting on impartiality or on pending matters.

Rule:            22 NYCRR §100.4(a)

Opinion:

         A full-time judge of a court in a large metropolitan area inquires if it is permissible to speak before organizations of real estate groups, without compensation, concerning operation of the landlord/tenant parts of the judge's court. Members of the groups frequently have matters in this court, many of which are highly controversial.

         Section 100.4(a) of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts provides:

(a) A judge may speak, write, lecture, teach and participate in other activities concerning the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice.

         Accordingly, the judge may speak about the operation of the landlord/tenant part of the court provided, however, that it is done in a manner to avoid any appearance of partiality.

         (See also: Opinions 92-83, Vol. IX; 91-104, Vol. VIII; and 90-204, VII.)