State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

May a judicial officer attend a dinner hosted by a bar association when all expenses will be paid by the bar association?

Answer

CJC Canon 5(C)(4)(a) permits judicial officers and their spouses to accept ordinary social hospitality. This would include an invitation to attend a bar-related function such as a dinner when the expenses of the dinner will be paid by the bar association.

The Supreme Court adopted a new Code of Judicial Conduct effective January 1, 2011. In addition to reviewing the ethics advisory opinions, the following should be noted: CJC 3.13(B)(10)(a)

Opinion 91-08

3/21/1991