2008-10 (October 1, 2008)
Recommendations; Family; Canon 2, 3 & 4 

Issue:  May a Judicial Official respond to a request from the Judicial Selection Commission requesting a letter of reference for a relative being considered for approval?   

Response:  Based upon the facts presented, the Committee unanimously agreed that the Judicial Official, in response to a request from the Judicial Selection Commission, should decline to write a letter of recommendation for a relative who is being considered for a judgeship, because to do so would be to “knowingly advocate or knowingly participate in the appointment . . . of a relative in or to a position in the judicial branch” in violation of Canon 3 (b) (5).