No, Judge Harris may not serve as a paid or unpaid retained counsel for a political party. CJC Canon 2 states that judicial officers avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all their activities. Part-time judges are not exempt from the provisions of this Canon. CJC Canon 7 (A) (2) states that judicial officers shall not identify themselves as members of a political party and that they may not contribute to a political party.

Judicial officers may not serve as retained counsel for a political party because it could give the appearance that the judicial officer has identified themselves as a member of that party. It doesn’t matter if Judge Harris is paid or not paid because the appearance that he is engaging in political activities cannot be overcome. (Opinion 93-20)