2011-31 (December 16, 2011)
Advisory Opinions – Jurisdiction
Policy and Rules of the Committee, Paragraph 5
 
Issue: May a Judicial Official may participate as a panel member at a law-related educational seminar that is sponsored by a private organization, whether a non-profit or a profit-making organization, which earns a profit from sponsoring the seminar? If so, may the Judicial Official be compensated on either a flat fee or contingent fee basis (where the amount of the fee is dependent upon the number of people that attend the seminar)?
 
Response: Based on the information provided, the Committee unanimously declined to answer the inquiry because it seeks an opinion on a hypothetical question for a contemplated activity. See Paragraph 5 of the Policy and Rules of the Committee. The Committee noted that it would reconsider the question if the Judicial Official were to advise the Committee of a specific request to participate in such a seminar, presently or in the future.