Could a family law master serve on West Virginia’s Commission for National and Community Service?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 1995. Ask about yours and see what the current rules of professional conduct in your state say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The archive labels this December 1995 letter 1995-33, although its printed header says 1994-33. A family law master recently appointed to West Virginia’s Commission for National and Community Service asked whether that service conflicted with the master’s job.
Based on the organization’s structure and purpose supplied by the requester, the Commission found it fell within former Canon 4C(3)’s limits and said the appointment presented no conflict with family law master employment on the information received.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1995, before West Virginia adopted its 2015 Code of Judicial Conduct, effective December 1, 2015. Subsequent rule changes or later opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context and verify the current Code before relying on the letter's conclusion.
Common questions
Q: Did the Commission find a conflict?
A: No, based on the facts the requester supplied.
Q: Which rule did it identify?
A: Former Canon 4C(3) on civic and charitable activities.
Background and rules framework
The letter applied former Canon 4C(3)’s limitations on judicial participation in civic and charitable organizations to the described state commission.
Citations and references
West Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct (former):
- Canon 4C(3), civic and charitable activities.
See also
Source
- Landing page: West Virginia Judicial Investigation Commission advisory opinions
- Original PDF: JIC Advisory Opinion 1995-33, redacted
- Code adoption date: West Virginia JIC 2015 Annual Report
Original opinion text
Best-effort transcription from a scanned PDF. Minor errors may remain; the linked PDF is authoritative.
JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION COMMISSION
212 Dickinson Street
Post Office Box 1629
Charleston, West Virginia 25326-1629
(304) 558-01 69 FAX (304) 558-0831
December 8, 1995
Re: JIC Advisory Opinion 1994-33
Dear Ms. Perry:
Your letter to Counsel was reviewed by the Judicial Investigation commission at a recent meeting. In the correspondence you stated that you recently had been appointed to serve on the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service. You asked whether such appointment would be in conflict with your employment as a family law master.
The Commission reviewed the information which you forwarded in your correspondence which explained the structure and purpose of the Commission for National and Community Service. Based upon the information you provided, it appears that the organization is one which would fall within the limitations set forth in Canon 4C(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The Commission feels that there would be no conflict with your employment as a family law master based upon the information received from you.
If you have any further questions regarding this matter, do not hesitate to contac the crission.
V ;ry t r u ~ r s ,
ox, II, Chairman
FLF,II/bl
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