Compensation for Extrajudicial Activities

A judge may accept compensation for extrajudicial activities permitted by law unless such acceptance would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality. The compensation shall be reasonable and commensurate to the task performed. Comment [1] Unless otherwise prohibited by law, a judge is permitted to accept compensation for extrajudicial activities. The judge should be mindful, however, that judicial duties must take precedence over other activities. See Rule 2.1. [1A] A judge is prohibited by R.C. 102.03(H) from receiving an honorarium, including any payment made in consideration for a speech given, article published, or attendance at a public or private conference, convention, meeting, social event, meals, or similar gathering. See R.C. 102.01(H). [1B] Compensation for an extrajudicial activity shall not exceed a reasonable amount or what a person who is not a judge would receive for the same activity. [2] Compensation derived from extrajudicial activities is subject to public reporting. See Rule 3.15. Comparison to Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct