Rule 10.702 Subordinate judicial officers: practice of law

Subordinate judicial officers are court employees like commissioners and referees who handle certain cases but are not full judges. They are allowed to practice law on the side, but only under the limits set by California's Code of Judicial Ethics.

The Code of Judicial Ethics places strict boundaries on what legal work these officers can do outside of their court duties. In most cases, this means they cannot represent clients in court or take on legal work that could create a conflict with their role.