Standard 2(U) Financial activities

1. In order to avoid creating an appearance of exploitation of office or favoritism and to minimize the potential for disqualification, a judge must not engage in financial and business dealings that (a) may reasonably be perceived to exploit the judge’s judicial position, or (b) involve the judge in frequent transactions or continuing business relationship with those lawyers or other persons likely to come before the court on which the judge serves.

2. A judge may, however, hold and manage investments of the judge and members of the judge’s family, including real estate. A judge may not serve as an officer, director, manager, general partner, advisor, or employee of any business entity except that a judge may manage and participate in: (i) a business closely held by the judge or members of the judge’s family, or (ii) a business entity primarily engaged in investment of the financial resources of the judge or members of the judge’s family. This section does not apply to all judges as set forth in Exceptions to Applicability 3 and 4.

3. A judge should manage the judge’s investments and other financial interests to minimize the number of cases in which the judge is recused. As soon as the judge can do so without serious financial detriment, the judge must divest himself or herself of investments and other financial interests that might require frequent recusal.