Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct — Canon 3: A Judge Shall Conduct the Judge’s Personal and Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with the Obligations of Judicial Office

Rule 3.10: Practice of Law

Effective January 1, 2009

A judge shall not practice law. A judge may act pro se and may, without compensation, give legal advice to and draft or review documents for a member of the judge's family,* but is prohibited from serving as the family member's lawyer before a tribunal. This Rule does not prohibit the practice of law pursuant to military service.

Comment

[1] A judge may act pro se in all legal matters, including matters involving litigation and matters involving appearances before or other dealings with governmental bodies. A judge must not use the prestige of office to advance the judge's personal or family interests. See Rule 1.3.

[2] A judge's assistance to a family member in legal matters may not include signing pleadings or appearing before a tribunal for a family member.