A
Accepting money
Refer also to Awards & honors
- Accepting award and money in recognition of community service (10-3)
- Accepting award and money (99-17)
Accepting payment
Refer also to Compensation; Financial activities; Reimbursement
- Attending Drug Court conference, expenses reimbursed by local foundation (10-1)
- Receiving a share of fees collected by judge's former law firm (08-2)
- Accepting reimbursement of travel expenses for Drug Court training program (07-9)
- Receiving extended payout of capital investment in former firm (00-1)
- Attending program, expenses reimbursed by organization(s) appearing before the judge (99-12)
- Attending program, expenses reimbursed by organization(s) appearing before the judge (99-11)
- Accepting payment of travel expenses (99-4)
- Receiving payments from a research institute for papers to be written (99-2)
Advertising
Refer also to Media; use of name
- Judges as authors: novels or other works of fiction (21-02)
- Participating in university's video profile series (17-2)
- Participating in university advertising campaign (00-6)
Advisory committees
Refer also to Civic activities; Conflict of interest, career
- Service on board of nonprofit organizations (16-2)
- Serving on hospital ethics committee (08-12)
- Serving as co-chair of advisory board for civil rights project (07-1)
- Serving on advisory committee for Department of Public Health Planning Grant (03-14)
- Serving on private school investment committees following adoption of new Code (03-11)
- Participating in parent advisory council for special education (02-18)
- Appointment to advisory committee to hospital (91-3)
- Appointment to advisory committee to coalition of agencies whose "clients" may be involved in litigation (91-2)
Affidavits
Amicus Brief
Appearing before the court
Refer also to Conflict of interest, familial; Conflict of interest, career; Conflict of interest, social; Hearing cases
- Disqualification: litigant has filed a complaint or lawsuit against judge (23-3)
- Disqualification: prior professional and personal relationship with attorney (23-2)
- Disqualification: litigant is employed by entity that also employs judge’s child (23-1)
- Disqualification, party is former client of judge (18-4)
- Disclosure of former Facebook friendship (18-3)
- Disqualification: judge's spouse previously represented a defendant (16-11)
- Twitter: using social networking site (16-9)
- Linked In: using social networking site (16-8)
- Facebook: using social networking site (16-1)
- Hearing cases and disclosing when spouse is CPCS Appeals Unit staff attorney (11-5)
- Hearing cases where current tenant and former law partner is mediator (11-3)
- Appearing before a federal court or agency in Massachusetts (08-5)
- Hearing guardianship cases brought by hospital where child's spouse is employed (06-6)
- Maintaining social relationship with neighbor, an attorney who practices in judge's court (04-9)
- Attorney is former client of judge (04-1)
- Fiancé is Assistant District Attorney (02-17)
- Prosecutor is a former student of judge (02-9)
- Hearing cases of attorneys associated with father (01-17)
- Hearing cases in county where son is Assistant District Attorney (01-16)
- Propriety of presiding on cases involving a District Attorney's office when spouse is First Assistant District Attorney (99-8)
- Proceedings involving former partner (98-19)
- Propriety of presiding on cases involving a District Attorney's office when spouse is First Assistant District Attorney (96-3)
- Proceedings involving members of former law firm (95-6)
- Hearing De Novo Retrials of cases tried by judge's father, an ADA, and trials involving the District Attorney's staff (92-1)
- Proceeding involving former partners (89-2)
Appointments
Refer also to Advisory committees; Civic activities
- Service on board of nonprofit organizations (16-2)
- Serving on statutory commission (09-3)
- Appointment to government committee (08-7)
- Serving as co-chair of advisory board for civil rights project (07-1)
- Appointment to United Nations panel on war crimes, etc. in foreign country (03-15)
- Appointment to task force concerning admission criteria in public school (96-4)
- Appointment to sub-committee of trustees overseeing conflict of interest policy (95-3)
- Appointment as director of nonprofit corporation (95-1)
- Appointment to advisory committee to hospital (91-3)
- Appointment to advisory committee to coalition of agencies whose "clients" may be involved in litigation (91-2)
- Appointment as director of nonprofit corporation (90-4)
- Appointment as director of organization involved in litigation (90-2)
- Appointment to government committee (89-4)
- Appointment as director of legal services organization (89-2)
Associations
Refer to Bar Association; Membership
Awards & honors
Refer also to Bar Association; Event, attendance/appearance; Fundraising; Fundraisers
- Receiving an award at a Bar Association event where sponsors have substantial business before the courts (14-1)
- Accepting award and money in recognition of community service (10-3)
- Receiving an award at an event where sponsors have substantial business before the courts (09-1)
- Being guest of honor at event sponsored by consortium of law firms and other organizations to honor judges of color (07-4)
- Receiving award from chamber of commerce (03-1)
- Law school event honoring alumni in judiciary (02-12)
- Receiving award from local bar association (02-6)
- Accepting award at fundraiser (99-17)
- Accepting "Man of the Year Award" (99-10)
- Being honored by Bar Association (98-18)
- Accepting award and money (98-17)
- Accepting award from association representing service providers (98-2)
- Attendance at and receiving awards at certain events, and making contributions to certain organizations (95-8)
- Being named man of year, with dinner and program book (92-4)
B
Bar Association
Refer also to Membership
- Extrajudicial activities: serving as a judicial trustee for the Massachusetts Bar Foundation (25-2)
- Service on governing board of a bar association (17-3)
- Receiving an award at a bar association event where sponsors have substantial business before the courts (14-1)
- Serving as advisor to Bar Association Education Conference, moderating bench bar panel, attending bench bar reception, and conference ball (11-1)
- Serving as member and officer of Inn of Court; involvement in fundraising and recruitment (05-3)
- Serving as judicial trustee for Massachusetts Bar Foundation (04-8)
- Serving on Boston Bar Association council (03-12)
- Serving on Boston Bar Association council (03-5)
- Receiving award from local bar association (02-6)
- Writing letter supporting reinstatement to the bar (00-5)
- Being honored by bar association (98-18)
- Serving as bar association treasurer; as chair of board of editors (98-8)
- Bar association involvement in court celebration (98-5)
- Serving as Massachusetts Bar Section Chair (97-7)
- Contributing to Massachusetts Bar Foundation (97-1)
Board of Bar Overseers
Refer also to Obligation to report/duty to disclose
- Duty to report alleged lawyer misconduct (25-1)
- Duty to report attorney identified as "robosigner" to Board of Bar Overseers (12-2)
- Duty to report attorney misconduct (08-6)
- Duty to report attorney and judge for misconduct in another court (07-8)
- Duty to report ex parte communication from attorney (03-10)
- Continuing use of judge's surname in title of former firm (03-9)
- Duty to report misconduct of judge and lawyer (02-4)
- Reporting attorney's conduct to Board of Bar Overseers (99-3)
- Obligation to report matter to Board of Bar Overseers (92-3)
Board of Directors, nonprofit corporation
Refer also to Conflict of interest; Extrajudicial, service
- Extrajudicial activities: serving as a judicial trustee for the Massachusetts Bar Foundation (25-2)
- Service on governing board of a bar association (17-3)
- Service on board of nonprofit organizations (16-2)
- Serving on board of directors, non profit organization providing services to juveniles and families (10-2)
- Serving on board of nonprofit organization devoted to individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues (06-7)
- Serving on board of trustees of private, nonprofit hospital (05-2)
- Serving as judicial trustee for Massachusetts Bar Foundation (04-8)
- Serving on private school investment committees following adoption of new Code (03-11)
- Serving on board of directors of nonprofit publisher (01-11)
- Serving on board of directors, community foundation (00-9)
- Serving on board of overseers of S.J.C. Historical Society (99-6)
- Serving on board of directors of Center for Health Care Negotiation (99-1)
- Serving on board of directors of nonprofit (97-2)
- Serving on board of directors of legal services organization (96-2)
Board of Directors, other
- Serving on board of trust whose mission is to distribute funds for the benefit of persons in the community where the judge sits (14-3)
- Serving as member or officer of condominium board of governors (01-6)
- Hearing matters involving organization, judge on board of directors (01-5)
Board of Trustees, commercial
Refer also to Board of directors
Book
- Judges as authors: novels or other works of fiction (21-02)
- Invitation to write a forward to a book (93-2)
Branches of government
- Communication with executive and legislative branches regarding proposed closing of courthouse (03-6)
- Serving on statutory commissions (14-4)
Business
Refer also to Board of directors; Corporation
- Participating in a for-profit business (18-1)
- Participation in cover band and business band (17-4)
- Hearing cases where current tenant and former law partner is mediator (11-3)
- Owning residential and commercial properties as investments (06-4)
- Owning and managing residential and commercial properties as investments (04-6)
- Participation in a publishing business (93-1)
C-D
Case management
Charitable activities
Refer also to Election; Event, attendance/appearance; Fundraiser; Fund-raising; Politics
- Donating, selling, and exhibiting photographs (16-4)
- Participating in charity walk (08-11)
- Charity websites (08-11)
- Participating in charity bike ride (00-4)
- Purchase of tickets for and attendance at charitable fundraiser honoring a state senator (92-2)
Civic activities
Refer also to Extrajudicial
- Service on governing board of a bar association (17-3)
- Public outreach in support of the rule of law and judicial independence (17-1)
- Serving on hospital ethics committee (08-12)
- Serving as co-chair of advisory board for civil rights project (07-1)
- Serving as a "call firefighter" in town where judge resides (05-6)
- Appointment to task force concerning admission criteria in public school (96-4)
- Appointment to sub-committee of trustees overseeing conflict of interest policy (95-3)
- Appointment as director of nonprofit corporation (95-1)
- Appointment to advisory committee to hospital (91-3)
- Appointment to advisory committee to coalition of agencies whose "clients" may be involved in litigation (91-2)
- Appointment as director of nonprofit corporation (90-4)
- Appointment as director of organization involved in litigation (90-2)
- Appointment to government committee (89-4)
- Appointment as director of legal services organization (89-2)
Compensation
Refer also to Indemnification; reimbursement of expenses
Conflicts of interest, familial
Refer also to Elections; Politics; Recusal; Trustee
- Disqualification: litigant is employed by entity that also employs judge’s child (23-1)
- Disqualification: litigants are clients or employees of agency employing judge's spouse (16-12)
- Disqualification: judge's spouse previously represented a defendant (16-11)
- Hearing cases and disclosing when spouse is CPCS Appeals Unit staff attorney (11-5)
- Appearing before town board regarding proposed development on land jointly owned by judge and spouse (07-2)
- Hearing guardianship cases brought by hospital where child's spouse is employed (06-6)
- Lawyers and litigants who appear before judge have patronized business establishment owned by judge and judge's family members (06-1)
- Judge's family member is member of Committee for Public Counsel Services (04-10)
- Judge's obligations when child runs for political office (03-8)
- Spouse is employed by nonprofit organization serving the disabled (03-4)
- Involvement as trustee in parents' estate plan (03-2)
- Fiancée is assistant district attorney (02-17)
- Hearing cases of attorneys associated with father (01-17)
- Hearing cases in county where son is assistant district attorney (01-16)
- Activities as spouse of candidate (99-16)
- Propriety of presiding on cases involving a district attorney's office when spouse is first assistant district attorney (99-8)
- Political activity by family members (98-4)
- Propriety of presiding on cases involving a district attorney's office when spouse is first assistant district attorney (96-3)
- Hearing de novo retrials of cases tried by judge's father, an ADA, and trials involving the district attorney's staff (92-1)
Conflicts of interest, professional
Refer also to Appearing before the court; Hearing cases; Recusal
- Disqualification: litigant has filed a complaint or lawsuit against judge (23-3)
- Disqualification: prior professional and personal relationship with attorney (23-2)
- Disqualification: litigant is employed by entity that also employs judge’s child (23-1)
- Disclosure of former Facebook friendship (18-3)
- Participation in cover band and business band (17-4)
- Twitter: using social networking site (16-9)
- Linked In: using social networking site (16-8)
- Facebook: using social networking site (16-1)
- Disqualification, party is former client of judge (18-4)
- Accepting pro bono representation (13-1)
- Hearing cases from former law firm in two-judge division of the Trial Court (12-3)
- Hearing cases where current tenant and former law partner is mediator (11-3)
- Deferred associates serving as volunteer interns/law clerks (09-4)
- Speaking at conference sponsored by regular litigant in judge's court (07-6)
- Judge's family member is member of Committee for Public Counsel Services (04-10)
- Attorney is former client of judge (04-1)
- Hearing matters involving certain organizations (01-10)
- Hearing matters involving organization, judge on board of directors (01-5)
- Child fatality review team participating judge/judge's designee (01-4)
- Serving as adjunct professor and sitting on cases involving firm of a trustee (99-9)
- Proceedings involving former partner (98-19)
- Commenting publicly about matter in which involved (98-15)
- Ordering supervised visitation at center run by children of court's family service officer (96-1)
- Appointment to advisory committee to coalition of agencies whose "clients" may be involved in litigation (91-2) (See also CJE Opinion No. 91-3)
- Beneficial interest in office building leased to party appearing in court (91-1)
- Appointment as director of organization involved in litigation (90-2)
- Proceeding involving former partners (89-2)
Conflicts of interest, social
Refer also to Appearing before the court; Recusal
- Disqualification: prior professional and personal relationship with attorney (23-2)
- Facebook: using social networking website (11-6)
- Maintaining social relationship with neighbor, an attorney who practices in judge's court (04-9)
- Serving as executor of estate of family friend (03-3)
- Prosecutor is a former student of judge (02-9)
- Touring section of city with certain persons (97-8)
Consulting services
Contributions
Refer also to Events, attendance/appearance; Fundraising; Fundraisers; Gifts; Membership
- Contributing to fundraiser (03-7)
- Joining/contributing to certain organizations (99-15)
- Contributing to Massachusetts Bar Foundation (97-1)
- Attendance at and receiving awards at certain events, and making contributions to certain organizations (95-8)
Corporation
Refer also to Board of Directors, Commercial; Nonprofit; Other
- Serving on board of trustees of savings bank (01-14)
- Serving on board of directors of center for health care negotiation (99-1)
- Maintaining professional corporation; retaining interest in closely held corporation (98-14)
- Activities, including fundraising, on behalf of not-for-profit corporation (95-4)
- Service as shareholder and treasurer of investment partnership (95-2)
- Appointment as director of nonprofit corporation (95-1)
- Appointment as director of nonprofit corporation (90-4)
Court-appointed counsel
Court-appointed guardian
Court employees/resources
- New judge, communications with successor counsel (18-2)
- Deferred associates serving as volunteer interns/law clerks (09-4)
- Hiring court employees (00-8)
Discounts
Refer also to Donations; Gifts
Discrimination
Refer also to Membership.
Disqualification
Refer to Recusal.
Donations
Refer also to Discounts; Gifts.
E
Educational activities
- Public outreach in support of the rule of law and judicial independence (17-1)
- Acting on children's educational television program (07-5)
- Assisting organizations to educate courts (97-9)
Elections
Refer also to Conflict of interest, familial; Politics
- Family member placing political campaign sign outside judge's home (05-8)
- Judge's obligations when child runs for political office (03-8)
- Activities as spouse of candidate (99-16)
- Signing nomination papers (99-13)
- Political activity by family members (98-4)
Employment
Refer to Compensation; Recommendations; Conflicts of interest
Event, attendance/appearance
Refer also to Charitable activities; Elections; Politics
- Participation in cover band and business band (17-4)
- Public outreach in support of the rule of law and judicial independence (17-1)
- Speaking at community family day (16-6)
- Attending and presenting at a regional educational drug court conference (14-2)
- Receiving an award at a bar association event where sponsors have substantial business before the courts (14-1)
- Speaking to the local chamber of commerce (11-2)
- Serving as advisor to bar association education conference, moderating bench bar panel, attending bench bar reception, and conference ball (11-1)
- Receiving an award at an event where sponsors have substantial business before the courts (09-1)
- Speaking at conference sponsored by regular litigant in judge's court (07-6)
- Being guest of honor at event sponsored by consortium of law firms and other organizations to honor judges of color (07-4)
- "Appearing" by video (or by letter to be read aloud) at fundraiser; contributing to fundraiser (03-7))
- Attending conference where case pending on appeal will be discussed (02-14)
- Law school event honoring alumni in judiciary (02-12)
- Appearing in video for use by pro se litigants (02-7)
- Attending reception and dinner for retiring mayor (01-15)
- Attending, as guest, fundraising event (00-7)
- Holding social function for retiring judge (00-3)
- Attending program, expenses reimbursed by organization(s) appearing before the judge (99-12)
- Attending program, expenses reimbursed by organization(s) appearing before the judge (99-11)
- Attendance at and receiving awards at certain events, and making contributions to certain organizations (95-8)
- Purchase of tickets for and attendance at charitable fundraiser honoring a state senator (92-2)
Executor
Refer also to Conflict of interest
- Serving as executor for long-term friend (08-9)
- Continuing in roles of executor and trustee after appointment to the bench (05-9)
- Serving as executor of estate of family friend (03-3)
- Accepting durable power of attorney, serving as executor (00-2)
- Serving as executor (97-3)
Ex parte communications
- Responding to letter from crime victim regarding disposition of case (03-17)
- Discussing pending case with other Judge (98-10)
Extrajudicial, participation
Refer also to Educational activities; Historic and cultural activities
- Participating in a for-profit business (18-1)
- Attending and presenting at a regional educational drug court conference (14-2)
- Umpiring softball games for a fee (07-3)
- Participating in parent advisory council for special education (02-18)
- Participating as panelist at conference – discussing case pending on appeal (02-13)
- Accepting artwork for display in courthouse (and participating in selection committee); appearing in video for use by pro se litigants (02-7)
- Participating in activities of academy of matrimonial lawyers (02-1)
- Child fatality review team participating judge/judge's designee (01-4)
Extrajudicial, service
Refer also to Educational activities; Historic and cultural activities
- Extrajudicial activities: serving as a judicial trustee for the Massachusetts Bar Foundation (25-2)
- Service on governing board of a bar association (17-3)
- Service on board of nonprofit organizations (16-2)
- Serving on board of directors, non-profit organization providing services to juveniles and families (10-2)
- Serving as a justice of the peace (08-8)
- Serving as co-chair of advisory board for civil rights project (07-1)
- Acting as judge on "People's Court" type television program – serving as consultant for production company (05-10)
- Serving as a "call firefighter" in town where judge resides (05-6)
- Serving on board of trustees of private, nonprofit hospital (05-2)
- Serving as judicial trustee for Massachusetts Bar Foundation (04-8)
- Serving on Boston Bar Association council (03-5)
- Serving as executor of estate of family friend (03-3)
- Serving as legislative counsel to municipality (02-19)
- Serving as special adviser to branch of government other than judiciary (02-15)
- Serving as trip chaperone at reduced cost (01-9)
- Serving as part-time technical consultant to television program (99-14)
- Serving as adjunct professor and sitting on cases involving firm of a trustee (99-9)
- Serving as "master of ceremonies" (99-7)
- Serving on community policing commission (98-13)
- Serving as bar association treasurer; as chair of board of editors (98-8)
- Serving as elected officer or director of golf club (98-7)
- Serving as Massachusetts Bar Section chair (97-7)
- Serving as executor (97-3)
- Service as shareholder and treasurer of investment partnership (95-2)
F-G
Family
Refer also to Conflict of interest, familial; Recusal
- Disqualification: litigant is employed by entity that also employs judge’s child (23-1)
- Participating in a for-profit business (18-1)
- Disqualification: litigants are clients or employees of agency employing judge's spouse (16-12)
- Disqualification: judge's spouse previously represented a defendant (16-11)
- Service as a trustee, close family-like relationship (16-7)
- Participating in a for-profit business (18-1)
- Disqualification: litigants are clients or employees of agency employing judge's spouse (16-12)
- Disqualification: judge's spouse previously represented a defendant (16-11)
- Service as a trustee, close family-like relationship (16-7)
- Appearing before town board regarding proposed development on land jointly owned by judge and spouse (07-2)
Fiancé
Refer to Conflict of interest, familial; Recusal
Financial activities
Refer also to Business.
- Judges as authors: novels or other works of fiction (21-02)
- Definition of economic interest (17-5)
- Donating, selling, and exhibiting photographs (16-4)
- Owning residential and commercial properties as investments (06-4)
- Owning and managing residential and commercial properties as investments (04-6)
- Creating, exhibiting, and selling fine art paintings (01-18)
Fundraiser
Refer also to Charitable activities; Elections; Event, attendance/appearance; Politics
- Participation in cover band and business band (17-4)
- Donating, selling, and exhibiting photographs (16-4)
- "Appearing" by video (or by letter to be read aloud) at fundraiser; contributing to fundraiser (03-7)
- Attending, as guest, fundraising event (00-7)
- Participating in charity bike ride (00-4)
- Accepting award at fundraiser (99-17)
Fundraising
Refer also to Charitable activities; Event, attendance/appearance; Extrajudicial
- Service on governing board of a bar association (17-3)
- Writing letter in support of nonprofit organization that assists certain litigants (06-5)
- Serving as member and officer of inn of court; involvement in fundraising and recruitment (05-3)
- Involvement in planning and fundraising for annual conference of national association of women judges (04-3)
- Soliciting contributions for private school while serving on board of directors (04-2)
- Activities, including fundraising, on behalf of a not-for-profit corporation (95-4)
- Purchase of tickets for and attendance at charitable fundraiser honoring a state senator (92-2)
- Separation of judiciary from fundraising events (89-3)
Gifts
Refer also to Discounts; Donations
- Accepting pro bono representation (13-1)
- Deferred associates serving as volunteer interns/law clerks (09-4)
- Accepting free services from surveillance company (02-20)
- Accepting artwork for display in courthouse (02-7)
- Serving as trip chaperone at reduced cost (01-9)
- Acceptance of publishing company's donation of a CD-ROM product (95-10)
- Acceptance and use of Amtrak rail pass (95-7)
- Paying discounted bill for legal services (94-2)
- Acceptance of complimentary books (90-3)
Government commissions and committees
Refer also to Appointments; Extrajudicial
- Serving on statutory commission (09-3)
- Appointment to government committee (08-7)
- Serving as a "call firefighter" in town where judge resides (05-6)
- Serving on governor's commission on corrections reform (03-16)
- Appointment to United Nations panel on war crimes, etc. in foreign country (03-15)
- Serving on subcommittees on governor's commission on criminal justice innovation (03-13)
- Appointment to government committee (89-4)
- Serving on statutory commissions (14-4)
Guardian
H-J
Hearing cases
Refer also to Conflict of interest; Recusal
- Disqualification: litigant has filed a complaint or lawsuit against judge (23-3)
- Disqualification: prior professional and personal relationship with attorney (23-2)
- Disqualification: litigant is employed by entity that also employs judge’s child (23-1)
- Hearing cases from former law firm in two-judge division of the Trial Court (12-3)
- Hearing cases when current tenant and former law partner is mediator (11-3)
- Hearing cases of attorneys associated with father (01-17)
- Hearing cases in county where son is assistant district attorney (01-16)
- Hearing matters involving certain organizations (01-10)
- Hearing matters involving organization, judge on board of directors (01-5)
- Hearing de novo retrials of cases tried by judge's father, an ADA, and trials involving the district attorney's staff (92-1)
Historic and cultural activities
Refer also to Extrajudicial
- Being featured in city's 350th anniversary publication (03-18)
- Serving on board of overseers of Supreme Judicial Court (S.J.C.) Historical Society (99-6)
Indemnification
Refer also to Compensation; Reimbursement of expenses
Information, use of
Refer also to Media; Name, use of
- Judges as authors: novels or other works of fiction (21-02)
- Participating in university's video profile series (17-2)
- Service on board of nonprofit organizations (16-2)
- Use of biographical material of judge in former firm's brochure (90-1)
Interest, other
Refer also to Corporation
- Participating in a for-profit business (18-1)
- Beneficial interest in office building leased to party appearing in court (91-1)
- Maintaining professional corporation; retaining interest in closely held corporation (98-14)
Interest, property
Refer also to Business; Financial activities
- Hearing cases where current tenant and former law partner is mediator (11-3)
- Appearing before town board regarding proposed development on land jointly owned by judge and spouse (07-2)
- Owning residential and commercial properties as investments (06-4)
- Owning and managing residential and commercial properties as investments (04-6)
- Owning office building with attorneys as tenants (93-3)
- Rental of condominium, not available to public, to judges (89-5)
Judge, retired
Refer also to Information, use of
- Serving as a master within six months of retirement (16-5)
- Practicing in the federal courts within six months after retirement (16-3)
- Voice mail recording (01-8)
- Retired judge noticing and taking depositions being addressed socially (01-3)
- Holding social function for retiring judge (00-3)
Judicial administration
L-O
Landlord/Tenant
Refer to Interest, Property
Lawyers
Refer also to Appearing before the court; Conflicts of interest
- Disqualification: prior professional and personal relationship with attorney (23-2)
- Hearing cases from former law firm in two-judge division of the Trial Court (12-3)
- Fiancée is assistant district attorney (02-17)
- Prosecutor is a former student of judge (02-9)
- Hearing cases in county where son is assistant district attorney (01-16)
- Propriety of presiding on cases involving a district attorney's office when spouse is first assistant district attorney (99-8)
- Proceedings involving former partner (98-19)
- Propriety of presiding on cases involving a district attorney's office when spouse is first assistant district attorney (96-3)
- Owning office building with attorneys as tenants (93-3)
- Proceeding involving former partners (89-2)
Media
Refer also to Extrajudicial; Information, use of; Name, use of
- Judges as authors: novels or other works of fiction (21-02)
- Disclosure of former Facebook friendship (18-3)
- Participating in university's video profile series (17-2)
- Twitter: using social networking site (16-9)
- Linked In: using social networking site (16-8)
- Facebook: using social networking site (16-1)
- Facebook: using social networking website (11-6)
- Trial judge being interviewed by author for book about criminal case (08-1)
- Acting on children's educational television program (07-5)
- Acting as judge on "People's Court" type television program – serving as consultant for production company (05-10)
- Moderating discussion on local public access radio station (05-5)
- Being featured in city's 350th anniversary publication (03-18)
- Hosting call-in cable television show (02-16)
- Participating in university advertising campaign (00-6)
- Serving as part-time technical consultant to television program (99-14)
- Inclusion in law school booklet re: alumni judges (98-1)
- Use of biographical material of judge in former firm's brochure (90-1)
Meetings, participation in/attending
Refer also to Extrajudicial
- Appearing before town board regarding proposed development on land jointly owned by judge and spouse (07-2)
- Meeting with candidates for register of probate (02-8)
- Juvenile justice roundtable attends meetings probation officer attending (01-7)
- Attending meetings of domestic violence roundtables (98-16)
- Attending meetings of safe neighborhood initiative (98-9)
Membership
Refer also to Discrimination; Event, attendance/appearance
- Serving as member and officer of Inn of Court; involvement in fundraising and recruitment (05-3)
- Retaining membership in Masons, assuming leadership role (02-11)
- Retaining membership in Masons, assuming leadership role (02-3)
- Serving as member or officer of condominium board of governors (01-6)
- Membership in Boy Scouts of America (01-1)
- Joining/contributing to certain organizations (99-15)
Misconduct, attorney
Refer to Obligation to report/duty to disclose
Misconduct, judicial
Refer to Obligation to report/duty to disclose
Name, use of
Refer also to Information, use of; Media
- Judges as authors: novels or other works of fiction (21-02)
- Participating in university's video profile series (17-2)
- Testifying as a character witness: disbarred attorney's reinstatement proceeding (16-13)
- Service on board of nonprofit organizations (16-2)
- Using judge's surname in title of former law firm during dissolution (08-2)
- Continuing use of judge's surname in title of former firm (03-9)
- Voice mail recording (01-8)
- Inclusion in law school booklet re: alumni judges (98-1)
Obligation to report/duty to disclose
Refer also to Board of Bar Overseers
- Duty to report alleged lawyer misconduct (25-1)
- Duty to report perceived judicial misconduct (21-1)
- Duty to report attorney identified as "robosigner" to board of bar overseers (12-2)
- Obligation to report attorney misconduct to board of bar overseers (08-6)
- Duty to report attorney and judge for misconduct in another court (07-8)
- Reporting to law enforcement authorities impounded information learned from criminal defense attorney (07-7)
- Reporting to proper authorities evidence of possibly illegal conduct (05-7)
- Duty to report ex parte communication from attorney (03-10)
- Duty to report misconduct of judge and lawyer (02-4)
- Reporting attorney's conduct to board of bar overseers (99-3)
- Duty to disclose information to defense counsel (98-20)
- Reporting contact by another judge (98-12)
- Reporting contact by another judge (98-11)
- Obligation to report matter to board of bar overseers (92-3)
Owning property
Refer to Interest, Property
P-S
Politics
Refer also to Conflict of interest; Elections
- Participation in cover band and business band (17-4)
- Political activity: participating in Women's March on Washington (16-10)
- Family member placing political campaign sign outside judge's home (05-8)
- Judge's obligations when child runs for political office (03-8)
- Activities as spouse of candidate (99-16)
- Signing nomination papers (99-13)
- Political activity by family members (98-4)
Practice of law
- New judge, communications with successor counsel (18-2)
- Serving as a master within six months of retirement (16-5)
- Practicing in the federal courts within six months after retirement (16-3)
- Announcing name of firm judge will be joining (08-5)
- Writing to district attorney in behalf of former client who may have been wrongfully convicted (04-7)
Pro se
Public comments
- Public outreach in support of the rule of law and judicial independence (17-1)
- Twitter: using social networking site (16-9)
- Trial judge being interviewed by author for book about criminal case (08-1)
- Moderating discussion on local public access radio station (05-5)
- Responding to letter from crime victim regarding disposition of case (03-17)
- Attending conference where case pending on appeal will be discussed (02-14)
- Participating as panelist at conference – discussing case pending on appeal (02-13)
- Commenting publicly about matter in which involved (98-15)
Real estate
Refer to Interest, Property
Recommendations by judge
- Testifying as a character witness: disbarred attorney's reinstatement proceeding (16-13)
- Writing letter in support of nonprofit organization that assists certain litigants (06-5)
- Using court stationery for letter of recommendation to judicial nominating commission (05-1)
- Writing to district attorney in behalf of former client who may have been wrongfully convicted (04-7)
- Writing letter at court employee's request for use in disciplinary proceeding (04-5)
- Writing unsolicited letter for use in court employee's disciplinary proceeding (04-4)
- Writing letter supporting reinstatement to the bar (00-5)
- Writing letter of recommendation to a judge (99-5)
- Writing letter attesting to character (97-2)
- Sending letter of recommendation to executive council (95-9)
- Writing letters of recommendation, and making recommendations on behalf of judicial candidates (94-1)
Recusal
Refer also to Appearing before the court; Conflict of interest; Disqualification
- Disqualification: litigant has filed a complaint or lawsuit against judge (23-3)
- Disqualification: prior professional and personal relationship with attorney (23-2)
- Disqualification: litigant is employed by entity that also employs judge’s child (23-1)
- Disqualification, party is former client of judge (18-4)
- Disclosure of former Facebook friendship (18-3)
- Definition of economic interest (17-5)
- Participation in cover band and business band (17-4)
- Disqualification: litigants are clients or employees of agency employing judge's spouse (16-12)
- Disqualification: judge's spouse previously represented a defendant (16-11)
- Twitter: using social networking site (16-9)
- Linked In: using social networking site (16-8)
- Facebook: using social networking site (16-1)
- Hearing cases from former law firm in two-judge division of the Trial Court (12-3)
- Hearing cases and disclosing when spouse is CPCS appeals unit staff attorney (11-5)
- Hearing cases where current tenant and former law partner is mediator (11-3)
- Serving on board of directors, non-profit organization providing services to juveniles and families (10-2)
- Reporting attorney misconduct to board of bar overseers (08-6)
- Hearing guardianship cases brought by hospital where child's spouse is employed (06-6)
- Lawyers and litigants who appear before judge have patronized business establishment owned by judge and judge's family members (06-1)
- Judge's family member is member of committee for public counsel services; and judge formerly accepted appointments from committee for public counsel services (04-10)
- Maintaining social relationship with neighbor, an attorney who practices in judge's court (04-9)
- Attorney is former client of judge (04-1)
- Spouse is employed by nonprofit organization serving the disabled (03-4)
- Fiancé is assistant district attorney (02-17)
- Prosecutor is a former student of judge (02-9)
- Proceedings involving former partner (98-19)
- Matters involving co-authors (97-6)
- Proceedings involving members of former law firm (95-6)
- Recusal from ongoing litigation (95-5)
- Impartiality re: party and counsel (89-8)
- Proceeding involving former partners (89-2)
Reimbursement of expenses
Refer also to Compensation; Indemnification
- Attending drug court conference, expenses reimbursed by local foundation (10-1)
- Accepting reimbursement of travel expenses for drug court training program (07-9)
- Accepting payment of case-related travel expenses from litigants (02-5)
- Attending program, expenses reimbursed by organization(s) appearing before the judge (99-12)
- Attending program, expenses reimbursed by organization(s) appearing before the judge (99-11)
Renting property
Refer to Interest, Property
Research study
Sale of products
Refer to Financial activities
Spouse
Refer also to Conflict of interest, familial; Disqualification; Recusal
T-Z
Testimony
- Testifying as a character witness: disbarred attorney's reinstatement proceeding (16-13)
- Subpoena to testify at a deposition (09-5)
- Attending trial and testifying in litigation involving close family member (08-4)
- Appearing before town board regarding proposed development on land jointly owned by judge and spouse (07-2)
- Attending and testifying at clerk-magistrate's hearing re family dog (06-3)
- Testifying pursuant to subpoena at former client's parole hearing (06-2)
- Writing to district attorney in behalf of former client who may have been wrongfully convicted (04-7)
- Writing letter at court employee's request for use in disciplinary proceeding (04-5)
- Writing unsolicited letter for use in court employee's disciplinary proceeding (04-4)
- Testifying before General Court committee (97-5)
- Testifying before General Court committee (97-4)
Transition to or from judgeship
- New judge, communications with successor counsel (18-2)
- Serving as a master within six months of retirement (16-5)
- Practicing in the federal courts within six months after retirement (16-3)
- Appearing before a federal court or agency (08-5)
- Announcing name of firm judge will be joining (08-5)
- Withdrawal from trustee position after appointment to judgeship (08-3)
- Using judge's surname in title of former law firm during dissolution; receiving a share of fees collected by former firm (08-2)
- Continuing in roles of executor and trustee after appointment to the bench (05-9)
- Continuing use of judge's surname in title of former firm (03-9)
- Receiving extended payout of capital investment in former firm (00-1)
Trustee
Refer also to Conflict of interest
- Extrajudicial activities: serving as a judicial trustee for the Massachusetts Bar Foundation (25-2)
- Service as a trustee, close family-like relationship (16-7)
- Serving on board of trust whose mission is to distribute funds for the benefit of persons in the community where the judge sits (14-3)
- Serving as executor and trustee for long-term friend (08-9)
- Withdrawal from trustee position after appointment to judgeship (08-3)
- Continuing in roles of executor and trustee after appointment to the bench (05-9)
- Serving as judicial trustee for Massachusetts Bar Foundation (04-8)
- Involvement as trustee in parents' estate plan (03-2)
Witness
- Testifying as a character witness: disbarred attorney's reinstatement proceeding (16-13)
- Attending trial and testifying in litigation involving close family member (08-4)
- Attending and testifying at clerk-magistrate's hearing re family dog (06-3)
- Testifying pursuant to subpoena at former client's parole hearing (06-2)
- Appearing as a witness (98-6)
Contact
Online
Anna Rachel Dray-Siegel, Staff Counsel
Email Committee on Judicial Ethics at anna.dray-siegel@jud.state.ma.us
Address
John Adams Courthouse, One Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108