Opinion 25-103

September 10, 2025

Facts/Issue:  A full-time judge asks if it is ethically permissible to teach figure skating on behalf of a municipal skating rink, where the judge would be “an employee” working outside of court hours and receive “nominal compensation intended to modestly offset the time and effort involved.”

Discussion:   The Rules Governing Judicial Conduct prohibit a full-time judge from “receiv[ing] compensation for extra-judicial activities performed for or on behalf of: (1) New York State, its political subdivisions or any office or agency thereof” (22 NYCRR 100.4[H][1][c][1]).

                   Because the skating rink is operated by a municipality and the full-time judge would receive compensation for teaching skating, it is not ethically permissible for the judge to do so.

                   With respect to the judge’s apparent alternative question as to whether he/she may “[p]rovide private instruction to students” who love skating and wish to improve their abilities, we cannot provide a meaningful response without additional factual details (see e.g. Opinions 09-192/09-231; 16-117).

Conclusion:  A full-time judge may not be compensated for teaching figure skating for or on behalf a local municipality.

Authorities:  Opinions 22-14; 14-177; 03-130.