Also known as: campaign committees
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A committee that a judicial candidate subject to public election may establish to manage and conduct a campaign for judicial office. The candidate remains responsible for directing the committee and ensuring its compliance with applicable rules on contributions and statements.
Clifford Cox learned that a city official would soon award outside counsel work on a regulatory matter. He organized a drive that collected checks from clients and delivered them to the official's campaign committee. The timing and targeting of the drive led the disciplinary authority to conclude that the contributions were made to obtain the engagement.
Judge Carmen Choi met with several lawyers who regularly appeared before her and asked each for a direct contribution to her reelection effort. Because the requests bypassed the campaign committee she had established under the rules, the conduct commission found a violation of the prohibition on personal solicitation.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
The committee structure channels all contribution solicitations and accepts through an entity the candidate directs but does not personally operate. This separation prevents the candidate from making direct requests that could create the appearance of coercion or favoritism toward contributors who appear before the court.
No. A lawyer or firm violates the rules by making or soliciting contributions to a campaign committee when the purpose is to obtain or be considered for a government legal engagement or judicial appointment. Purpose is assessed by examining all circumstances, including timing and targeting of the contributions.
Yes. The candidate must review and approve all campaign statements and materials produced by the committee before dissemination. Responsibility for compliance cannot be shifted to the committee.
The committee may solicit and accept only reasonable contributions. Excessive amounts create the impression that selection for legal work or judicial favor rests on political support rather than merit.