Opinion 81-2

February 10, 1981

Dear Judge:

This is in response to your inquiry of January 16th, 1981, wherein you inquired as to the ethical propriety of owning an interest in a general partnership that owns unimproved land. Of the 8 members of the Committee on Standards of Conduct Governing Judges who responded to your inquiry, all were unanimous that it was proper for you to retain your interest in the partnership and to vote your partnership share. One member pointed out that this presupposes that you will recuse yourself in any matter before you where any of the partners are involved.

Yours truly,

James T. Carlisle, Chairman
Committee on Standards of Conduct Governing Judges

cc: All Committee Members
Sid White, Clerk of the Supreme Court
Mr. William C. Clark, Chairman, Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission
Mrs. Linda H. Yates, Managing Editor, Florida Bar Journal
Hon Howard T. Markey, Chairman, Ethics Advisory Panel Judicial Conference of the U.S.
All references to the inquiring judge deleted