October 4, 1993

Personal and Confidential

Opinion 93-54

Canon 4 - Speaking at the Estate Planning Council

Re: Committee on Standards of Conduct Governing Judges - Your inquiry dated August 30, 1993

Dear Judge

You have inquired concerning an invitation to speak at the meeting of the Estate Planning Council which is comprised of attorneys, trust officers, financial planners, insurance advisors and planned giving individuals. All nine Committee members responding to your inquiry agree that it is appropriate for you to participate in this activity and that Canon 4 specifically approves of judges engaging in this type of activity.

The committee is expressly charged with rendering advisory opinions interpreting the application of the Code of Judicial Conduct to specific circumstances confronting or affecting a judge or judicial candidate. Its opinions are advisory to the inquiring party, to the Judicial Qualifications Commission and to the judiciary at large. Conduct that is consistent with an advisory opinion issued by the committee may be evidence of good faith on the part of the judge, but the Judicial Qualifications Commission is not bound by the interpretive opinions issued by the committee. Petition of the Committee on Standards of Conduct for Judges, 327 So2d 5 (Fla.1976).

Very truly yours,

Nath C. Doughtie, Chairman
Committee on Standards of Conduct Governing Judges

NCD/pds

cc: All Committee Members
Office of State Court Administrator (name of Judge deleted from this copy)

Participating members: Judges Doughtie, Farina, Goldstein, Green, Kahn, Patterson, Rushing, Taylor, Tolton and Edwards, Esq.