Rule:    22 NYCRR 100.4 (C)(3);
            100.4(C)(3)(b)(iii);
            Opinion 95-107 (Vol. XIII).
 
 

Opinion:

            A Family Court Judge inquires whether it is permissible to serve as a consultant for the Victims of Crime, Training and Technical Assistance Center which is a federal agency. The judge advises that the proposed duties of the consulting position would consist of reviewing grant applications.

            The Rules Governing Judicial Conduct provide, in part, that "...[a] judge may be a member or serve as an officer, director, trustee or non-legal advisor of an organization or governmental agency devoted to the law, the legal system or the administration of justice..." 22 NYCRR 100.4(C)(3). This may include the making of "... recommendations to public and private fund-granting organizations on projects and programs concerning the law, the legal system or the administration of justice." 22 NYCRR 100.4(C)(3)(b)(iii).

            The proposed service appears to fall within this category and is therefore ethically permissible. See Opinion 95-107 (Vol. XIII).