Opinion 23-222

February 1, 2024

Facts/Issue:    May a judge be honored as “Woman of the Year” at a cultural not-for-profit organization during its International Women’s Day event, at which there will be no fund-raising?

Discussion:     Where, as here, the sponsoring entity is not a court employee organization, bar association, or law school, the judge may not be “a speaker or the guest of honor” at the entity’s fund-raising events.

                      However, a judge may be a speaker, guest of honor, or award recipient at a non-fund-raising event of a not-for-profit educational, religious, charitable, cultural, fraternal or civic organization, and may permit the judge’s participation to be advertised in advance. 

                      As this sponsoring entity has assured the inquiring judge there will be absolutely no fund-raising associated with its event, it is ethically permissible for the judge to accept the honor.

Conclusion:     A judge may be honored as “Woman of the Year” at a cultural not-for-profit organization’s International Women’s Day event, provided the event is not a fund-raiser.

Authorities:    Opinions 23-105; 22-75; 17-137; 17-94; 90-184.