No, it would not be appropriate for Judge
Harris to write the letter of recommendation because the
judge may not use the prestige of the judicial office to
advance Miles’ private interest.
(CJC
Canon 2(B))
It does not matter if the letter is written on Judge Harris’ personal
stationery because there is the potential that the letter could be used
to lend the prestige of the judicial office to advance Miles’ private
interest before the licensing agency.
In making the determination as to
whether to write a letter of recommendation for Miles, Judge Harris needs
to consider the reason and audience for the letter of recommendation.
In
this case it is problematic because the letter to the state regulatory
agency would be used to advance Miles’ private interest.
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