ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS

(A) In making administrative appointments, a judge: (1) shall exercise the power of appointment impartially* and on the basis of merit; and (2) shall avoid nepotism, favoritism, and unnecessary appointments. (B) A judge shall not approve compensation of appointees beyond the fair value of services rendered. Comment [1] Appointees of a judge may include assigned counsel, mediators, officials such as district Ch 51, p.14 IOWA CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT August 2010 associate judges, magistrates, referees, commissioners, special masters, receivers, guardians, and personnel such as clerks, secretaries, and court reporters. Consent by the parties to an appointment or an award of compensation does not relieve the judge of the obligation prescribed by paragraph (A). [2] Unless otherwise defined by law, nepotism is the appointment or hiring of any relative within the third degree of relationship of either the judge or the judge’s spouse or domestic partner*, or the spouse or domestic partner of such relative. [Court Order April 30, 2010, effective May 3, 2010]