No Celebrity Waiter Judges In Florida

The Florida Supreme Court has adopted amendments to its Code of Judicial Conduct in a manner designed to allow judges a broader ability to receive public recognition and participate in charity fund raising events. The commentary suggests that the amendments make it clear that a judge may pass a collection plate and help out in a low key manner with a charitable event but could not be advertised as a “celebrity waiter.” A dissent suggests that the amendments are unnecessary and ill-advised as they might encourage a subtle pressure on litigants to curry favor with the judge’s favorite charity. (Mike Frisch)