State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Opinion 88-05

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 and is not the type of character testimony contemplated by CJC

Canon 2(B).

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 1.3
CJC 1.3 Comment [2]
CJC 3.3 Comment [2]

Opinion 88-05

03/16/1988

Amended 10/10/1988

  

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