ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
STATE OF WASHINGTON
AMENDED
OPINION NO. 88-5


Question
     Is it proper for a judge to write a letter of recommendation
concerning reinstatement of a disbarred attorney to the Washington State
Bar Association?


Answer
     It is proper under CJC Canon 4 for a judge to write a letter of
recommendation concerning the reinstatement of a disbarred attorney to the
Washington State Bar Association.  The Washington State Bar Association
operates as an arm of the Supreme Court in regulating the practice of law;
there-
fore, the communication is appropriate it is part of a judge's duty to
improve the legal system by recommending to the bar association those
persons fit to practice law and is not the type of character testimony
contemplated by CJC
Canon 2(B).








Opinion No. 88-5                                  Page 1 of 1
3/16/88
Amended 10/10/88