I was asked recently about lobbyists for state judges’ associations and found three advisory opinions, summarized below.

• A judge may be a member of the Colorado District Judges’ Association even though dues will be used to hire a lobbyist to advance the members’ interests. Colorado Advisory Opinion 2008-6.
• An association of judges may engage a lobbyist to advocate legislation on matters such as terms of judicial office, retirement benefits, and other court system and personnel issues. New York Advisory Opinion 98-5.
• A judges’ association may hire a lobbyist to represent its interests. South Carolina Advisory Opinion 12-2009.