State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

Is it permissible under CJC Canon 2(B) for a judge to write a letter of recommendation for employment for court personnel or for a personal friend?

Answer

It is permissible for a judge to write a letter of recommendation for court personnel on court stationary. Such letters of recommendation should be based on the judge’s personal observations of the job performance of the court employee.

It is also permissible for a judge to write a letter of recommendation for a personal friend. In some instances it may be appropriate for the judge to include a disclaimer stating that the judge is not attempting to lend the prestige of the office to advance the private interests of others and that the letter is being written purely as a friend.

Opinion 86-12

08/27/1986

Amended 02/01/2011