Rule 4.9 Compensation for Activities

Judges can get paid for things like giving a speech, teaching a class, or writing an article, even when the topic relates to their work on the bench. But there's a limit. If accepting that payment would make a reasonable person think the judge's independence or fairness is compromised, the judge can't take it.

This rule exists to keep judges from being influenced by money in ways that could affect how they do their job. The key question is how it looks to an outside observer. Even if the judge's judgment isn't actually affected, if a normal person would suspect the payment is buying influence or special treatment, the judge needs to turn it down.

In practice, this means judges have to think carefully about who is paying them and why before agreeing to speak, teach, or write for pay. A law school paying a standard fee for a guest lecture is different from a company involved in ongoing litigation offering a large speaking fee. The rule protects public trust in the courts by making sure judges avoid situations that create even the appearance of being for sale.