- In a jurisdiction in which a judge is obligated to perform marriages, a judge may not decline to perform marriages for same-sex couples. In a jurisdiction in which performing marriages is discretionary, a judge may not decline to perform marriages for same-sex couples if the judge performs opposite-sex marriages, but may refuse to perform all marriages for members of the public and still perform marriages for family and friends as long as the judge does not refuse to perform same-sex marriages for family and friends. ABA Formal Opinion 485 (2019).
- A judge may comment on a proposed rule regarding continuances for parental-leave in the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. Florida Opinion 2019-4.
- A judge may not meet with the appointing authority to discuss candidates for appointment as her co-judge, render “fact-based opinions” on the candidates, or recommend or oppose specific candidates. New York Opinion 2018-142.
- The Colorado District Judges’ Association may employ a public information officer, but the Association’s members and particularly its officers are responsible for ensuring that any information provided by the public information officer complies with the code of judicial conduct. The public information officer may disseminate general educational information, including how courts operate, how they make decisions, and how judges are appointed and retained; may share facts with or respond to inquiries from news media, bar associations, and other specific members of the public; and may, under certain circumstances, advocate before decision-makers about issues that concern the Association’s members. Colorado Opinion 2019-1.
- A judicial officer may serve on a non-profit organization’s advisory board that will draft legislation to reform part of the criminal law system and may provide testimony before the legislature and meet with legislative sponsors. California Oral Advice Summary 2019-27.
- An appellate justice may serve on an advisory panel for a state-funded grant program that sponsors educational projects about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and other civil rights violations. California Oral Advice Summary 2019-28.
- A judge may serve on the board of directors of the not-for-profit Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, which does not accept referrals from the courts or regularly engage in litigation in any court. New York Opinion 2018-166.
- In determining whether to attend or to participate as a lecturer or panel member at a conference or seminar sponsored by a research institute, think tank, association, public interest group, or other organization engaged in public policy debates, a judge or judicial employee should assess (1) the identity of the sponsor of the conference or seminar; (2) the subject of the conference or seminar; (3) whether the seminar or conference has political overtones; (4) the nature and source of funding for the conference or seminar; (5) whether the sponsor or a source of substantial funding is involved in litigation or likely to be involved; and (6) the nature of the expenses paid. U.S. Advisory Opinion 116 (2019).
- A judge may plan and attend a community blood drive and organ donor registration event in memory of a deceased relative if his judicial designation will not appear on any advertisements or invitations and he will not personally solicit anyone to participate. New York Opinion 2018-143.
- A judge may not participate in a 5K athletic/sporting event organized and promoted by the district attorney’s office to raise awareness of and prevent domestic violence. New York Opinion 2018-147.
- A judge may participate in the filming in another state of a pilot for a television show in which pro se litigants will have their small claims cases resolved by the show’s presiding judge but may not remain on the bench if he accepts a role in the show. Florida Opinion 2019-2.
- A district court commissioner may not sell beauty products as an independent contractor with Mary Kay Beauty Products. Maryland Opinion Request 2018-38.
- A judge may receive fees for legal work performed on veterans’ disability cases prior to his ascension to the bench. South Carolina Opinion 3-2019.
- A senior judge who is retiring and not subject to recall may use her name with the designations “HON” and “RET” on a program for an event commemorating her career. Florida Opinion 2019-1.
Judicial ethics and discipline 