Supreme Judicial Court Rules  Rule 3.11 Financial, business, or remunerative activities

(A)

A judge may hold and manage investments of the judge and members of the judge’s family.

(B)

A judge shall not serve as an officer, director, manager, general partner, advisor, or employee of any business entity except that a judge may manage or participate in a business entity primarily engaged in investment of the financial resources of the judge or members of the judge’s family.

(C)

A judge shall not engage in financial activities permitted under Paragraphs (A) and (B) if they will:

• (1) interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties;
• (2) lead to frequent disqualification of the judge;
• (3) involve the judge in frequent transactions or continuing business relationships with lawyers or other persons likely to come before the court on which the judge serves; or
• (4) result in violation of other provisions of this Code.

[1]

As soon as practicable without serious financial detriment, the judge must divest himself or herself of investments and other financial interests that might require frequent disqualification or otherwise violate this Rule.

[2]

Under this Rule, a judge must consider the difference between the permitted management of an investment and the prohibited management of a business. For example, a judge who owns residential or commercial properties as investments may establish policy and participate in decisions regarding the purchase, sale, and use of land, but must leave the actual day-to-day management to others.