New ethics opinion offers stipulations for judicial officers seeking membership to a fraternity or advocacy organization

The State Bar of Michigan’s Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics issued a new ethics opinion August 1, 2025, providing guidance on the ethical impact of judicial officers membership in fraternities or advocacy organizations.

“A judicial officer may be a member of a fraternal or advocacy organization, including the Fraternal Order of Police, so long as such membership does not create an appearance of bias, undermine public confidence in judicial impartiality, or otherwise conflict with the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct,” the opinion, JI-158, states. “Judges must be particularly cautious when joining organizations that advocate for specific legal or political interests, especially if those interests frequently come before the court.”

The opinion cites Judicial Canon 2, which deals with public confidence in the judiciary and states that “a judge should respect and observe the law. At all times, the conduct and manner of a judge should promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.”

You can read the full opinion here.

Posted: October 8, 2025