Advisory Committee on Ethical Opinions for the Clerks of the Courts

1. Serving as a fiduciary. 

#04-1

Serving as executor for non-relative

#98-6

Serving as elected library trustee.

#97-5

Serving as trustee of two nominee trusts; conservator and executor.

#95-3

Serving as fiduciary for long term friend.

#92-6

Serving as executrix for estate of non family member.

#92-1

Acting as administrator of estate for deceased ward.

#90-4

Acting as guardian for non_family member.

2. Involvement in the practice of law.

#06-5

Conflict - married to Assistant DA and relationship by marriage to police officer in court's jurisdiction

#99-5

Serving as Major in the Judge Advocate General's Corps., U.S. Army Reserve.

#97-5

Serving as escrow agent in a Superior Court Action on behalf of "client."

#96-2

Issues involved in winding up law practice.

#95-7

Entering practice of law after leaving office; taking leave of absence to practice law.

#95-6

Being asked for assistance in context of employment.

#92-6

Receiving referral fees arising from causes of action brought before being sworn in.

#91-5

Performing legal research for law firm while on furlough or authorized vacation.

3. Involvement in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

#98-7

Part-time employment as mediator.

#96-6

Performing mediation or arbitration services for MCAD.

#94-10

Arbitrator for American Registry of Arbitrators.

#94-1

Engaging in for-profit mediation business.

#92-7

Unpaid, volunteer work in connection with private dispute resolution business.

#91-4 

Case evaluator for ADR project for contested divorce cases.

4. Campaigning for self and others.

#06-3

Continuing employment as assistant clerk if candidate for position of clerk

#00-8

Running for Register of Probate, now employed as Assistant Clerk in different court department in different county.

#00-6

Running for Clerk of Court; leave of absence.

#00-5

Limits on political activities when spouse runs for state representative.

#00-3

Running for Register of Probate while continuing employment as First Assistant Register.

#00-2

Running for of Clerk_Magistrate of Superior Court; restrictions on activities as Assistant Clerk, taking leave of absence; bail responsibilities.

#97-2

Providing endorsement to candidate for Register of Probate.

#97-1

Acceptance of campaign contribution from litigant while running for position of Register of Probate.

#96-5

Serving on committee to elect Register of Probate.

#95-8

Running for of Register of Probate.

#95-5

Running for Register of Probate without taking unpaid leave.

#94-7

Taking leave of absence to run for position of Clerk of Courts.

#94-3

Solicitation of funds to run for position of Clerk of Courts.

#92-3

Involvement with sibling's campaign for position of town clerk.

5. Political activities.

#06-1

Attendance at mayor's inaugural ball

#04-4

Attending political fundraiser

#03-9

Volunteering for Boston 2004, host for Democratic National Convention

#03-6

Attending testimonial dinner to honor state representative

#03-5

Attending dinner dance for recently elected state representative

#03-1

Attendance at governor's inauguration

#00-1

Performing as master of ceremonies for mayoral inauguration.

#99-6

Serving as elected member of City Council.

#98-3

Political activities by self and family members.

#96-4

Spouse making political contributions from joint account; attendance at political functions as "private citizen" with or without spouse.

#96-3

Serving as member of ward committee; conflict with spouse's duties as constable.

#95-4

Attendance at private dinner with Lt. Governor.

#94-13

Serving as City Councilor.

#94-4

Attending political fund-raising event.

#94-3

Solicitation of funds to run for Clerk of Courts.

#90-1

Membership in political committee.

#90-3

Holding of sign for candidate.

6. Board Memberships.

#03-8

Serving on town Zoning Board of Appeals

#00-4

Serving as Director of Bank, not within jurisdiction of court; taking leave of absence.

#99-4

Serving on Board of Directors for consortium that is responsible for a shelter for the homeless and a shelter for battered women.

#97-8

Serving on Board of Directors of Metropolitan District Corporation.

#97-7

Serving as member of Board of Directors of a County Bar Advocate Program

#95-2

Serving as Board Member of Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts.

#94-12

Serving as Co-Chair of Annual Fund and on board of Directors for YMCA.

#94-5

Serving as a director on Board of Advisors of non-profit rehabilitation facility.

#92-6

Serving as member and chairman of board of Examiners for a City.

#91-2

Serving on board of organization that regularly files actions in Clerk-Magistrate's court.

7. Civic Activities.

#06-4

Becoming trustee for charter school outside jurisdiction

#03-3

Serving as member of school council

#00-7

Serving on finance committee of town within jurisdictional area of court.

#99-6

Serving as elected member of city council.

#98-8

Accepting funds from law firms and merchants, placing them in non-interest bearing account in clerk's name, and disbursing the funds to underwrite prizes for student participants in court's annual Law Day program.

#98-6

Serving as elected library trustee.

#98-5

Serving as elected town meeting member.

#97-5

Serving as unpaid member of Town Zoning Board of Appeals; Southeastern Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board; representative of Town and Secretary of Southeastern Transit Authority Pension Fund.

#97-3

Serving as Town Meeting member.

#96-8

Appointment to local Human Rights Commission.

#96-7

Testifying before Governor's Council on behalf of judicial nominee.

#95-1

Serving on local Personnel Board.

#94-12

Serving as Co-Chair of Annual Fund and on Board of Directors for YMCA.

#94-2

Serving as Town Meeting Member.

#93-1

Serving as member of city's election commission.

#92-2

Serving as President of booster Club for a high school.

#91-7

Serving as Town Meeting Member.

8. Business/commercial activities.

#06-2

Serving as reserve police officer while 1st assistant clerk

#05-4

Bail setting in the evening at police station in town where clerk resides

#05-2

Labor negotiator for a town

#99-3

Appointment as a corporator for savings bank located in Massachusetts.

#96-2

Issues involved in winding up law practice.

#94-11

Association as independent income tax preparer with CPA.

#94-10

Serving as arbitrator for American Registry of Arbitrators.