When I Grow Up To Be A Judge

The Florida Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee generally approves a judge’s co-authorship of a children’s book about judging, sharing in any profits and promoting the book

The inquiring judge has co-authored a children’s book with an attorney who does not practice in Florida. The book is intended to educate its readers about the role of a judge and to inspire children to dream of becoming judges, regardless of race, gender, or ethnic background. The judge advises that (a) the book will be marketed to parents and the general public, and not directly to lawyers, (b) the book will identify the author only by name, that is, it will not mention that the author is a judge,  (c) the judge will not market or give public readings of the book during business hours, (d) profits from sales of the book will not go to any organization, person, or other entity apart from the authors themselves, and (e) for every book sold on Amazon.com, one will be donated to a school, community center, or a child in need. The judge has read the several opinions by this Committee regarding judges who wish to become authors, but asks several questions not expressly addressed in those opinions.

The judge may not wear a judicial robe while promoting the book or comment on any pending matters. (Mike Frisch)