Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission Ethics Opinions
Free plain-English summaries of legal ethics opinions issued by the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission, with full citations and source links on every page.
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Did stock in a closely held corporation require recusal from a fellow stockholder’s case?
The Commission said the judge should disqualify or use Canon 3D if the relationship created bias or prejudice for the fellow stockholder; the number of owners and tax status were immaterial.
Did a judge’s regular borrowing from a bank require recusal when the bank appeared in court?
Borrowing alone did not compel recusal, but the Commission called for disclosure to counsel and recusal if either counsel objected; bank stock or bias could independently require disqualification.
Did a judge’s life insurance policy require recusal when the insurer was a party?
Only if the case outcome could substantially affect the policy interest’s value; then the Commission said to recuse or use the Canon 3D procedure.
When did a judge’s investment-club membership require disqualification from cases involving club members or a company it owned?
Membership alone did not require recusal from a club member’s case absent bias, but the Commission said the judge was disqualified when the managed club held stock in a litigant company.
Could an active supernumerary circuit judge accept a seat on the Cahaba River Commission?
The Commission said it was desirable for the judge not to accept because the position involved policy matters outside the law; it offered to reconsider if qualifying provisions applied.
Did Canon 6C financial disclosure apply to an inactive supernumerary justice?
No. The Commission said Section 6, Paragraph C of the Canons did not apply to inactive supernumerary justices.
Could a circuit judge appoint an uncle by marriage as bailiff?
No. The Commission said the appointment would violate Canon 3B(4) and, once the bailiff became a state employee, the then-cited Alabama nepotism statute.
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Legal ethics opinions from the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission interpret the rules of professional conduct for working lawyers, in response to inquiries from members and committees. They are advisory, not binding like court discipline decisions, but courts and discipline boards treat formal opinions as substantial guidance on how the rules apply. Every opinion above has a plain-English question and short answer, plus a link to the original source on the bar's site.