Opinion No. 102 (1987)

QUESTION: May a retired judge, who has elected to return to the practice of law rather than being subject to recall, ethically have a phrase such as "District Judge Retired" printed on his letterhead, professional cards, telephone listings or office door?

ANSWER: Canon 2B admonishes a judge "not [to] lend the prestige of his or her office to advance the private interests of himself or herself..." Canon 2B is applicable to retired judges who have elected to return to the active practice of law. The committee is of the opinion that after a retired judge has initially sent out his or her announcement of retirement and of returning to the active practice of law, to use the prestige of his or her former judgeship to advance the private interest of his or her law practice would violate Cannon 2B.