2010-33 (November 29, 2010)
Event, attendance/appearance
Canons 2 & 5
New Code of Judicial Conduct (effective 1-1-11): Rules 1.2 & 3.7

Issue: May a Judicial Official purchase tickets and attend a dinner sponsored solely by the University of Hartford to raise funds for the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service? While it is anticipated that politically active individuals will be at the dinner, no political parties are involved in co-sponsoring the event. Tickets to attend the fundraiser cost $150. Information was obtained suggesting that “sponsorship opportunities” may be available.

Response: Based upon the facts presented, including that the University of Hartford is the sole sponsor of the event, the Committee unanimously determined that the Judicial Official may purchase tickets and attend the fundraising dinner. A majority of the Committee’s members (3) cautioned that to the extent there may be “sponsorship opportunities” or a program journal or something similar for this event in which a judicial title may be published, the Judicial Official should consider the propriety of participating in those opportunities and consider whether the use of the judicial title might implicitly lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of the university in violation of Canon 2. In rendering its decision, the Committee considered its opinion in JE 2009-38.