Rule 3.10 Practice of Law
Canon 3: A Judge Shall Conduct the Judge’s Personal and Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with the Obligations of Judicial Office
Rule Text
A judge must not practice law. A judge may act pro se and may, without compensation, give legal advice to and draft or review documents for a member of the judge’s family, but the judge is prohibited from serving as the family member’s lawyer in any forum. This rule does not prohibit the practice of law pursuant to, and in the context of, a judge’s military service.
COMMENT
[1] A judge may act pro se in all legal matters, including matters involving litigation and matters involving appearances before or other dealings with governmental bodies. A judge must not use the prestige of office to advance the judge’s personal or family interests. See Rule 1.3.
[2] A judge will remain subject to conflict of interest and impropriety constraints. See Rule 2.11.
[3] A judge or court staff does not violate this rule by supervising a research attorney working for the Kansas Judicial Branch under a legal intern permit or a temporary permit to practice law. See Supreme Court Rules 715 and 718.
Amendment history: Am. effective March 1, 2018; Am. effective December 8, 2022.