NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Appearance of impropriety: Opinion 18-47
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Appearance of impropriety Free community performance – Question and answer session Opinion 18-47 Background: A full-time judge asks if she may participate in a free community performance of The Vagina Monologues, hosted at a local public library, by reading a few short factual/introductory paragraphs for certain segments […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Former law firm: Opinion 18-46
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Former law firm Former Client – Amicus brief – Financial relationship Opinion 18-46 Background: A full-time judge who has been on the bench fewer than two years asks if he may preside in matters where a former client has submitted an amicus brief jointly with another entity, […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Appearance of impropriety: Opinion 18-34
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Appearance of impropriety Law firm podcast – Attorney-referee Opinion 18-34 Background: A law firm has invited the inquiring full-time court attorney-referee to appear on the firm’s podcast to discuss general topics concerning the practice and procedure in matrimonial law, the referee’s education and experience practicing law, and [&hellip[...]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – First-degree relative’s attorney: Opinion 18-32
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics First-degree relative’s attorney Tax certiorari matter – Survivorship interest Opinion 18-32 Background: The inquiring judge’s first-degree relative retained counsel for a tax certiorari matter involving real estate owned by his relative as trustee of a revocable trust. The inquiring judge did not participate in hiring counsel and [&hellip[...]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Conflict of interest: Opinion 18-31
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Conflict of interest Surrogate’s Court – Attorney who purchased wills and advanced directives Opinion 18-31 Background: A new surrogate asks if he may preside over cases involving an attorney who purchased the judge’s file cabinet of wills and other advanced directives for a relatively modest price which […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Inspector General’s request: Opinion 18-28
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Inspector General’s request Perjured testimony from police officers – Judicial discretion Opinion 18-28 Background: The inquiring judge received a letter from a local police department’s inspector general asking for copies of any orders, opinions, letters, or similar documentation from the last six years, in which he or […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Campaigning: Opinion 17-139
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Campaigning Part-time justice – Slate card – Pledges on behalf of slate – Statements about qualifications Opinion 17-139 Background: A non-judge who is seeking election to town justice position asks if he may participate in a proposed joint palm card with his local slate. The palm card […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Conflict of interest: Opinion 18-23/18-56
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Conflict of interest Part-time town justice – Full-time chambers staff Joint Opinion 18-23/18-56 Background: Two part-time town justices are also employed as full-time chambers staff to superior court judges within the same county. They both ask what their ethical obligations are as it relates to the relationship. […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Fundraising: Opinion 18-44(c)
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Fundraising Not-for-profit sports booster – Part-time judge Opinion 18-44(c) Background: The inquiring judge asks if he may, outside of collecting and soliciting funds, volunteer in some unspecified capacity with a local sports booster club, the primary purpose of which is to raise money for the benefit of […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Not-for-profit fundraiser: Opinion 18-44(B)
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Not-for-profit fundraiser Concession stand Opinion 18-44(B) Background: The inquiring judge asks if he may sell food and other items at a sporting event concession stand as a member of a not-for-profit civic or charitable organization. Opinion: The Committee concluded that a judge may not sell items at […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Credit union membership: Opinion 18-44(A)
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Credit union membership Disqualification Opinion 18-44(A) Background: The inquiring judge asks if he may preside in matters involving a not-for-profit credit union in which the judge is a member and account holder. Opinion: The Committee concluded that a judge need not recuse himself from matters involving a […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Past representation by attorney: Opinion 18-42
New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Past representation by attorney Last will and testament Opinion 18-42 Background: The inquiring judge asked if he must disclose or disqualify himself in matters involving an attorney who drafted a last will and testament for the judge and his spouse four years previously, but continues to retain […]
Case Digests
- Fourth Department – Negligent performance: Rosenthal v. Syracuse University, et al.
- Second Circuit – Visual Artists Rights Act: Kerson v. Vermont Law School Inc.
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Former foreclosure referee: Opinion 22-157
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – College honorarium: Opinion 22-156
- Second Circuit – Reasonable accommodation: Tafolla v. Heilig
- Fourth Department – Labor Law: Primisch v. Peroxychem LLC
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Judicial candidacy: Opinion 22-155
- Fourth Department – Defamation: Lavine v. Glavin
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Law clerk: Opinion 22-154
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Review of another judge’s actions: Opinion 22-153
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Charitable contributions: Opinion 22-150
- Second Circuit – Class action settlement: Moses v. The New York Times Company
Law News
- Appeals court upholds conviction
- Federal lawsuit reinstated against jail officer over strip search, delayed release
- Hyzon to pay $25M penalty to settle alleged fraud charges by SEC
- NY appeals court reinstates lawsuit over contract to remove snow
- Fourth Department affirms $400K judgment in contract dispute
- Fourth Department affirms decision in NY property dispute
- Greenlight Networks selects Buffalo-based attorney as general counsel
- Barclay Damon hires attorney Matt Smith