2008-15 (November 6, 2008)
Recommendations; Canon 2

Issue: May a Judicial Official who has personal knowledge of a law school graduate who is a candidate for admission to the bar of another state provide a letter of reference in the context of an adversarial character and fitness proceeding stemming from concern that the candidate cheated on a college exam?

Response: Because the character and fitness proceeding involved in this ethics request is adversarial in nature and not the type ordinarily conducted for all bar applicants, the Committee unanimously agreed in accordance with Canon 2(b) and its commentary that the Judicial Official should not write a reference letter for this bar candidate unless specifically requested to do so by the bar authorities.