Lawyer's Responsibility to Legal Profession: Conduct while Not in Practice; Political Contributions to Obtain Government Employment; Judicial and Legal Officials

Question 1

What is the rule w regards to lawyer’s conduct while not in practice?

Answer 1

Even while not in practice, lawyers are still bound by professional standards of conduct and can be disciplined for conduct violating those standards.

Question 2

What is the rule w regards to political contributions to obtain government employment?

Answer 2

A lawyer or firm MUST NOT accept government legal employment OR a judicial appointment IF —>
– the lawyer or firm makes a political contribution FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING SUCH EMPLOYMENT OR APPOINTMENT

EXCEPTIONS:

1. uncompensated services OK;
2. if made on basis of lawyer’s experience and following a process free from influence based on contributions;
3. if made on rotating basis from list compiled without regard to contributions

Question 3

What is the rule w regards to statements about judicial/legal officials ?

Answer 3

A lawyer MUST NOT make a statement that:

lawyer KNOWS to be false, or with RECKLESS DISREGARD to its truth or falsity concerning the QUALIFICATION or INTEGRITY of:

(i) a judge, adjudicatory, or public legal officer; OR
(ii) a candidate for election/appointment to judicial or legal office