Maintaining 

the Public Trust

Ethics for 

Federal Judicial 

Law Clerks

Third Edition

Federal Judicial Center 2012
An order form for additional copies of this pamphlet appears on the last page.

First printing
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks iii

Contents

Introduction, 1

How to Approach an Ethics Question, 2

What sources should you consult?, 3

If you have questions after consulting the sources, what should you do?, 3

Are there limits on the Committee’s role?, 4

Will your inquiry be kept confidential?, 5

Confidentiality, 5

Dealing with attorneys, 6

Dealing with the press, 8

Dealing with other judicial employees, 8

Conflicts of Interest, 9

Caution, 13

Political activities, 13

Online activities, 15

Gifts, 17

Community and Other Outside Professional and Social Activities, 19

Compensation for outside activities, 20

Use of office equipment, 21

Career, 23

Ethics Checklist for Federal Judicial Law Clerks, 26

Confidentiality, 26

Conflicts, 26

Caution, 28

Community Activities, 28

Career, 29

Appendix: How To Obtain Online Ethics Resources, 30

Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 1

Introduction

New law clerks: welcome to the federal court system. Career clerks: 

thank you for your continued service.

During your clerkship, you will provide valuable assistance as 

your judge resolves disputes that are of great importance to the parties, and often to the public. The parties and the public accept judges’ 

rulings because they trust the system to be fair and impartial. Maintaining this trust is crucial to the continued success of our courts. 

That’s why, although you have many responsibilities that demand 

your attention, you must never lose sight of your ethical obligations.

You need to become familiar with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, which has five canons. In brief, the canons provide 

that you should

• uphold the independence and integrity of the judiciary and of 

your office;

• avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all 

activities;

• adhere to appropriate standards in performing your duties;

• avoid conflict with official duties and the appearance of impropriety in all outside activities; and

• refrain from inappropriate political activities.

Scrupulously follow these canons and the other rules that govern 

your conduct. Do not assume that good intentions are enough.

It is not enough to simply learn and follow the Code of Conduct 

and other related ethics rules, however. You also need to familiarize yourself with and follow your judge’s ethical guidelines. These 

guidelines may differ from chambers to chambers. Your judge may 

impose restrictions that go beyond the Code.

Although many of your obligations are the same as those of other federal judicial employees, certain restrictions are more stringent 

because of your special position in relation to the judge. Some obligations continue after your service to the court concludes.

Sometimes new law clerks are surprised by some of the canons, 

although after they analyze those canons, the rationale becomes 

clear. The canons emphasize avoiding activity that raises the appearance of impropriety, as well as actual impropriety itself.
2 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Many outside activities cannot be neatly separated from your official duties. You will need to maintain a heightened awareness of 

how others may perceive your actions—in and out of the court.

To help you get started, the federal judiciary’s ethics committee, 

known as the Judicial Conference Committee on Codes of Conduct 

(the Committee), prepared this pamphlet in cooperation with the 

Federal Judicial Center. This pamphlet provides an overview of your 

ethical obligations as well as resources you can consult for further 

information. These obligations apply to all law clerks, including career clerks, clerks who serve for a defined period of time, and clerks 

who work full-time or part-time, for pay or as a volunteer.

The next section discusses how to approach an ethics question. 

The following sections present the “5 Cs” as an easy way to remember the main categories of your ethical obligations. They are

• confidentiality;

• conflicts of interest;

• caution (political activities, online activities, and gifts);

• community and other outside professional and social activities; and

• career.

Each “C” section includes examples that illustrate challenges you 

may face, as well as sources of guidance.

The Ethics Checklist for Federal Judicial Law Clerks, on pages 

26–29, will help you identify ethics problems that may require you 

to isolate yourself from a case in your judge’s chambers or refrain 

from certain activities outside the office. You should complete the 

checklist and then review it with your judge.

How to Approach an Ethics Question

The rule to always look both ways before crossing a street provides 

guidance in approaching an ethics question: move cautiously and 

carefully. You are responsible for conducting yourself according to 

the ethics guidelines. Train yourself to stop, think, and evaluate before you take an action—inside or outside of work—that may have 

ethical implications.
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 3

What sources should you consult? 

If you identify a potential ethics problem, you can take several steps 

to resolve it. First, review the sources of your ethical obligations and 

previous guidance from the Codes of Conduct Committee:

• The Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. The Code applies to almost all judicial employees, including judges’ personal staff, such as law clerks, judicial assistants, secretaries, 

court law clerks, and staff attorneys.

• The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 and the Judicial Conference 

regulations promulgated under it. The provisions that apply 

to law clerks address receipt of gifts and honoraria.

• Advisory Opinions that the Judicial Conference Committee 

on Codes of Conduct has issued on questions that arise frequently, including issues specific to law clerks and other judicial employees.

• The Compendium of Selected Opinions. The Compendium 

contains summaries of confidential advice that the Committee has offered in response to individual inquiries from judges 

and judicial employees.

If you do not have these resources at hand, they are readily available 

to you. The appendix to this pamphlet explains how to obtain ethics 

resources.

Second, remember to consult all the relevant Code canons and 

Judicial Conference regulations. An activity that may seem permissible under a general section of a canon may not be permissible under a more specific provision.

Third, consult with your judge as soon as possible, even if your 

initial investigation suggests a clear-cut answer. Individual judges or 

courts may set standards that exceed the standards set by the Code 

and related rules and opinions discussed above.

If you have questions after consulting the sources, what 

should you do?

You or your judge may ask the Codes of Conduct Committee for advice. The Committee is composed of 15 members: a judge from each 

circuit, a bankruptcy judge, and a magistrate judge.
4 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Contact the Committee representative from your circuit or the 

Committee Chair. You can also contact the Committee Counsel at 

the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, who has a wealth of 

ethics information.

The Committee welcomes questions. In many instances, it will 

have already addressed a question similar to yours and established 

a precedent. If so, an informal phone call or e-mail exchange may 

quickly resolve your dilemma. If the Committee has not established 

a precedent, you can seek a formal opinion. You can also ask for a 

formal opinion if, for some reason, you want to skip the informal 

step. Address your request to the Committee Chair and submit it by 

e-mail. An e-mail meets the requirement that the request be in writing. The Committee will respond promptly.

Are there limits on the Committee’s role?

Yes. The Committee develops ethics policy for the federal courts and 

provides advice to federal judges, federal judicial employees, and 

federal defenders on specific ethics questions. It does not provide 

advice about conduct other than that of the person asking the question. It does not conduct investigations or mete out discipline. And 

How to Contact the Codes of Conduct Committee

A list of current Committee members is on the J-Net, at http://jnet.

ao.dcn/EthicsCommittee_on_Codes_of_Conduct.html. 

Requests for opinions and other questions concerning the 

Code and its applicability should be addressed to the Chair and 

e-mailed to ethics@ao.uscourts.gov.

You can also contact the Committee at

Chair, Committee on Codes of Conduct 

c/o General Counsel 

Administrative Office of the United States Courts 

Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building 

One Columbus Circle, N.E. 

Washington, DC 20544 

202-502-1100

All inquiries and responses are confidential.
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 5

it does not interpret statutes, rules, or regulations other than those 

related to the Codes of Conduct for Judges, Judicial Employees, and 

Federal Defenders.

Will your inquiry be kept confidential?

Yes. The Committee keeps all inquiries and responses confidential. 

If you contact the Committee directly, the Committee will maintain 

your confidentiality. 

Confidentiality

During your clerkship, you will learn a broad range of confidential 

information. Some of this information will pertain to individual 

cases; some will concern internal court workings; some will relate to 

the practices of your judge or other judges; and some will defy easy 

categorization.

Although the Code of Conduct does not define confidential information, the term generally includes any information you receive 

through your clerkship that is not part of the public record. This 

includes information about past cases and the decision-making process used by your judge, chambers, and/or court in a prior, pending, 

or impending case. You have a strict obligation to keep this information confidential, unless your judge specifically authorizes you to 

disclose it. This obligation continues after your court service concludes.

Canon 3D of the Code states that employees should not

• disclose any confidential information received in the course 

of official duties except as required in the performance of 

such duties;

• employ such information for personal gain; or

• comment on the merits of a pending or impending action.

Your obligation not to disclose any confidential information 

applies to your communications with family, friends, and former 

colleagues, just as it does to your communications with strangers, 

parties to a case, and the general public. The prohibition against 

commenting publicly on the merits of a pending or impending action extends to anonymous disclosures, such as disclosures on blogs.
6 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Find out if your judge has specific confidentiality rules you must 

follow. Some courts and judges, for example, use the model confidentiality statement, Form AO-306, which is on the J-Net at http://

jnet.ao.dcn/Forms/AO_National_Forms/AO_ 306.html.

The danger of unintentionally disclosing confidential information is especially high in certain situations, such as when talking to 

former law school classmates or professors or when engaging in 

online activities, such as social networking. (See pages 15–17 for a 

detailed discussion of online activities.) At first, you may struggle 

against a natural desire to share more than you should and to satisfy other people’s curiosity about your work. But as your clerkship 

progresses you will find that by exercising caution and remaining 

vigilant, you can honor your confidentiality obligation while maintaining your relationships. You can give your family and friends a 

clear picture of your career as a law clerk without mentioning specific cases or legal issues.

Dealing with attorneys

Dealing with attorneys can pose challenges. Attorneys often want an 

insider’s view on how their cases are going and how they can improve their clients’ prospects. They may call and try to argue their 

Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, Canon 3D

A judicial employee should avoid making public comment on 

the merits of a pending or impending action and should require 

similar restraint by personnel subject to the judicial employee’s 

direction and control. This proscription does not extend to public statements made in the course of official duties or to the explanation of court procedures. A judicial employee should never 

disclose any confidential information received in the course of 

official duties except as required in the performance of such duties, nor should a judicial employee employ such information 

for personal gain. A former judicial employee should observe the 

same restrictions on disclosure of confidential information that 

apply to a current judicial employee, except as modified by the 

appointing authority.
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 7

Information That’s Confidential

• Statements, or even hints, about a judge’s likely actions in a 

case

• The timing of a judge’s decision or order, or any other judicial 

action

• The content of case-related discussions with a judge, including 

past cases

• Observations about a judge’s decision-making process in specific cases

• Documents or other information related to a sealed case

• Information obtained in the course of a law clerk’s work that is 

not available to the general public

Information That’s Not Confidential

• Court rules

• Court procedures

• In general, information on how the court operates

• Court records, including the case docket available from the 

clerk’s office

• Information disclosed in public court proceedings

points, and lead you into a discussion of a case. Do not participate 

in these conversations. Some judges do not permit law clerks to talk 

with counsel at all. But even if your judge allows you to talk with 

attorneys under certain circumstances, never discuss or divulge confidential information.

If an attorney tries to continue the conversation, say, “If you 

made those points in your filing, the judge will read it and consider 

them.” If the attorney tries to discern the judge’s thoughts, say, “I’m 

sorry, but you’ll have to wait until the opinion issues.” Making these 

statements can be more difficult if you know the attorney from law 

school or through your family, or if the attorney has appeared in 

multiple cases before your judge. But your obligation to the court 

remains the same: to protect confidential information and the integrity of the court.
8 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Dealing with the press

Journalists may press for information about a case or the court. 

Canon 3D provides firm guidance on this point: law clerks should 

not disclose any confidential information or comment publicly on 

the merits of any pending or impending actions. Many judges prohibit their clerks from talking to the media, so be sure to check your 

judge’s guidelines on media inquiries. Never respond to substantive 

questions or reveal confidential information. With your judge’s permission, you may be able to direct callers to information in the public record and comment on technical, administrative, or procedural 

matters. 

Some courts designate specific employees to respond to media 

inquiries, and written guidelines for such inquiries may be available 

from your judge or the clerk of court.

Dealing with other judicial employees

You also must not discuss any confidential case-related information 

with clerks or other judicial employees who do not work for your 

judge, unless your judge explicitly gives you permission to do so. 

This includes information about past cases or your judge’s decisionmaking process in a particular case. This prohibition extends to appellate clerks who work for different judges on the same panel. 

Examples

• A litigant calls Julia, a district court clerk, seeking information on when 

her judge will issue a summary judgment order. Should Julia respond? 

No. The release date of specific orders is confidential.

• Roberto’s college friend now attends journalism school. For a class, his 

friend plans to write a feature about recidivism in the criminal justice 

system. May Roberto explain to his friend the basic steps in a criminal 

prosecution, trial, and sentencing? Yes. Roberto may explain the basic 

steps in a criminal case, as long as he avoids revealing any confidential 

information.

• Prior to a nonjury trial, one of the attorneys, from another city, calls Anthony, a clerk, to ask procedural questions about the judge’s courtroom 

practices, such as whether she generally requests opening and closing 
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 9

statements and whether she prefers that attorneys stand to make objections. May Anthony answer these questions? Perhaps. Canon 3D permits 

a court employee to explain general court procedures to attorneys and 

the public, but Anthony should find out if his judge has a more restrictive policy for her chambers. If his judge allows him to talk with the 

attorney, Anthony should be careful not to let the conversation move 

into substantive matters.

• Lena clerks for a judge whose district borders Mexico. Her uncle asks her 

what she and her judge think about a new state immigration law that 

recently made headlines, especially whether that law could be challenged 

in the courts. How should Lena respond? Lena may discuss her personal 

thoughts about the law, but she must not say anything that suggests 

she knows how challenges to the law would be decided. She should 

emphasize that she is speaking personally and not for the judge. She 

must not disclose anything that reveals her judge’s thoughts about the 

law, especially since her judge could hear a case involving it.

• Delia clerks for a judge who is presiding over a high-profile trial. Journalists ask Delia for the time and location of upcoming hearings and for access to the judge’s rulings as soon as they are filed. May Delia respond as 

requested? Yes, but only if her judge gives her permission. The time and 

location of hearings are (generally) public information, as are judicial 

opinions. Thus, they may be disclosed, so long as the clerk does so in 

accordance with the judge’s rules for communicating with the media.

Where to look for guidance on confidentiality

• Canons 1, 2, and 3 of the Code of Conduct, particularly Canon 3D

• Compendium § 3.9-1[1]: Avoid Comment on Pending Matters [Judicial Employees]

Conflicts of Interest

Canon 3F(1) of the Code of Conduct advises judicial employees, including law clerks, to avoid conflicts of interest. Conflicts arise when 

you—or your spouse or other close relative—might be so personally 

or financially affected by a matter that a reasonable person would 

question your impartiality. The considerations that apply to a spouse 

also apply to a person with whom the clerk lives in an intimate relationship.
10 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

As a law clerk, you are subject to additional restrictions, which 

the Code sets out in Canon 3F(2). You may not work on any matter 

where

• you have a personal bias or prejudice toward a party, or personal knowledge of disputed facts;

• you served as a lawyer in the matter, or a lawyer with whom 

you previously practiced law had served (during such association) as a lawyer concerning the matter, or you or the lawyer 

has been a material witness;

• you, your spouse, or minor child who lives in your household 

has a financial interest in the subject matter or in a party;

• you or your relatives within the third degree are a party, a lawyer, or likely to be a material witness, or have an interest that 

could be substantially affected by the matter’s outcome; or

• through prior government employment, you participated as 

counsel, advisor, or witness concerning the proceeding or expressed an opinion about it.

A new clerk may bring conflicts to the clerkship, for example, 

from existing personal relationships or former employment. Other 

conflicts may arise during the clerkship, for example, from contacts 

with a prospective employer (which will be discussed later under 

“Career”) or from newly acquired financial interests.

Under Canon 3F(4), you have a duty to keep informed about 

your personal and financial interests, and to remain reasonably informed about the financial interests of your spouse and minor children. If you, your spouse, or child owns even one share of stock in a 

party to a case, you have a financial interest in the party and cannot 

work on the case. However, owning government securities or mutual 

funds does not create a financial interest in the entities that issued 

the securities or the companies whose stock the mutual fund owns. 

If you own innovative investment vehicles that are not easily categorized as an equity stock or mutual fund, it may be difficult to decide 

whether you have a financial interest in a party. If so, err on the side 

of caution—consult with your judge.

As you can see from the examples presented in the box below, 

you can predict some conflicts and some may recur. You must ex-
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 11

amine other situations on a case-by-case basis. Remember to inform 

your judge as soon as you become aware of a conflict or a potential conflict. Your judge will then determine how to proceed. Most 

judges have more than one law clerk and can assign another clerk to 

a case if necessary. 

Actual Conflicts

• In a previous legal job, you worked on a lawsuit now assigned to your judge

• A lawyer with whom you previously practiced law had 

served (during such association) as a lawyer concerning a 

matter now assigned to your judge, or you or the lawyer has 

been a material witness 

• The firm where you plan to work after your clerkship serves 

as counsel in a matter before your judge

• You witnessed a crime, and your judge will hear the case

• You, your spouse, or minor child owns stock in a company 

that is a party in a case before your judge

• Your spouse or your spouse’s firm represents a party in a 

proceeding before your judge

• Your relative is a plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit assigned 

to your judge

Potential Conflicts

Potential conflicts do not necessarily disqualify you from working 

on a case, but you should alert your judge to them.

• A neighbor’s name appears on a witness list in a case before 

your judge

• An attorney you met and talked with at a social function appears to argue a motion before your judge

• An environmental hazard in a case before your judge borders your parents’ vacation property

• As an editor of your school’s law review, you expressed opinions on the merits of a case now on appeal before your judge
12 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Examples

• Greta’s husband inherited six shares of corporate stock when his grandmother passed away. The corporation just filed a lawsuit, and Greta’s 

judge will preside over it. May Greta work on the case? No. Greta will 

need to isolate herself from the case. Even a single share of stock held 

by her spouse creates a disqualifying interest.

• For two years before his clerkship, David worked as a lawyer in a large 

international law firm’s executive compensation group. Another of the 

firm’s offices filed a successful forum non conveniens motion in an insurance dispute. David never worked on the insurance case, nor did he know 

about it. He just learned that his judge will preside over the case. May 

David assist his judge? No. David may not work on any matter that was 

pending with his former firm while he worked there.

• Rachel’s husband works as an estate planning associate in a firm that 

represents a party in a products liability case. Rachel’s judge will preside 

over the case. May Rachel work on it? No. Even though her spouse is not 

involved in the litigation, she is prohibited from participating.

• In 2009, Molly’s former law firm represented an environmental advocacy 

group that sued an oil company after an oil spill. Now, another environmental advocacy group is suing the oil company in the court where 

Molly works. Molly’s former firm does not represent the advocacy group 

involved in the current litigation. May Molly work on the case? The conflicts rules do not bar Molly from working on the case, but she should 

tell her judge that her former firm represented a different client in a 

similar case.

• Eliza owns an exchange traded fund (ETF) composed mainly of telecommunications stocks. In a class action recently assigned to her judge, 

a group of plaintiffs allege a price-fixing conspiracy among three major telecommunications companies. May Eliza work on the case? This 

question does not have a clear-cut answer. Eliza should proceed with 

caution and consult with her judge. The conflicts rules generally treat 

ETFs like mutual funds, but this may be a unique case because her ETF 

is composed of telecommunications stocks, and it seems likely that 

this class action could substantially affect all major telecommunications companies.
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 13

Where to look for guidance on conflicts of interest

• Advisory Opinion No. 51: Law Clerk Working on Case in Which a 

Party Is Represented by Spouse’s Law Firm

• Advisory Opinion No. 74: Pending Cases Involving Law Clerk’s Future Employer

• Compendium § 2.7-1: Withdrawing from Law Practice to Become 

a Judge or Judicial Employee [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 2.11-1: Doing Business with Parties Before the 

Court [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 3.1-8: Financial Conflicts [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 3.1-9[1]: Duty to Keep Informed of Financial Interests [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 3.2-2[1]: Recusal: Spousal Relationships [Judicial 

Employees]

• Compendium § 3.3-1[1]: Recusal: Withdrawal from Firm; Former 

Firm Appearing in Case [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 3.4-6[1]: Recusal: Charitable and Religious Organizations [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 3.4-7[1]: Recusal: Future Employment [Judicial 

Employees]

• Compendium § 3.5-1: Isolating Judge’s Staff When Relatives or 

Relatives’ Interests are Involved in Litigation [Judicial Employees]

Caution

Caution is a theme that unites all of your ethical obligations, but 

you need to exercise special caution in three areas: political activities, 

online activities, and gifts. It is easy for clerks who are engaged in 

their communities and lead busy lives outside the court to stumble 

in these areas.

Political activities

Canon 5 of the Code of Conduct prohibits law clerks from engaging 

in both partisan and nonpartisan political activity. You may not run 

for office; campaign for others; publicly endorse or oppose candidates; or contribute funds to political organizations, candidates, or 

events. You should not even take passive actions that might link you 

with a political issue, such as displaying a political sign or bumper 

sticker.
14 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Exercise considerable caution before engaging in activities with 

obvious political overtones, even if they don’t meet the Code of 

Conduct’s definition of political activity. These might include, for 

example, activities related to a hotly debated political issue.

Your spouse and children may engage in political activities; however, if they do, you have an obligation to disassociate yourself from 

their involvement. For example, if your spouse makes political contributions, he or she should do so from a bank account without your 

name on it.

What political activities may you participate in?

You may register with a political party and vote in partisan and nonpartisan primary and general elections. You may express a personal 

opinion privately, for example, to a family member or friend. But 

be careful not to express your political opinions to broader audiences. The Online Activities section, on pages 15–17, discusses how 

far your circle of friends extends.

Advisory Opinion No. 92 discusses permissible and impermissible political activities for judicial employees. The key is to prevent 

any association of particular political opinions with the court, thus 

protecting the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. Ask 

your judge if you have any question about whether it is appropriate 

to participate in a particular activity.

Examples

• Jesse’s domestic partner runs the election campaign for a local city council 

person and plans to host a strategy meeting at their house. What, if anything, should Jesse do? Jesse should take reasonable steps to disassociate 

himself from the campaign. For example, he should ask his partner 

not to post a campaign sign in their front yard and not to make campaign contributions from their joint checking account. Jesse should 

not be at the house during the strategy meeting.

• In law school, Kathy devoted her free time to environmental advocacy. 

Just after she began her clerkship, her state passed a controversial ballot 

measure that some regard as bad for the environment and in violation of 

federal environmental laws. May Kathy volunteer for a local organization that plans to document and raise awareness about what it views as 
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 15

the measure’s ill effects? No. Kathy should not volunteer for the local 

organization while serving as a clerk. The activity has significant political overtones and involves a controversial issue that may ultimately 

be litigated in federal court.

• Prakash lives in a state that holds caucuses for presidential primaries. 

Prakash would like to attend a caucus so that he can cast a vote. Is this 

permissible? No. As a member of his judge’s personal staff, Prakash 

should refrain from all political activities, including participation in a 

caucus. 

• A hotly contested senatorial race just began in Natasha’s state. She would 

like to attend an information meeting that one of the candidates is hosting, so that she can learn more about his views on the important issues 

at stake. May she do so? No. Natasha may not attend the meeting. Her 

presence might be viewed as an endorsement. She may, however, attend a nonpartisan event to which all candidates are invited, such as a 

debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Where to look for guidance on political activities

• Advisory Opinion No. 92: Political Activities Guidelines for Judicial 

Employees

• Compendium § 5.3-1: Spouse’s and Other Relatives’ Political Activities [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 5.4-1: Public Support Causes [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 5.5: Other Partisan Political Activities [Judicial 

Employees]

• Compendium § 5.6: Other Nonpartisan Political Activities [Judicial 

Employees]

Online activities

Many law clerks spend a significant amount of time online. Using the 

Internet and other social media can facilitate appropriate research, 

lead to exchanges with other professionals, and help you maintain 

contact with family and friends. But your online activities can also 

pose a threat to multiple ethical obligations, including your responsibilities to maintain confidentiality, to preserve the appearance of 

impartiality and the independence of the judiciary, and to uphold 

the dignity of the court.
16 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Before participating in any online activity, answer the following 

six questions:

1. Does the activity readily identify you with the court system?

2. Does the activity reveal case information or other confidential 

court information?

3. Does the activity reflect poorly on the court or express an 

opinion about a controversial topic that may come before the 

court?

4. If you post pictures or comments on a blog or social media 

site, will they detract, even indirectly, from the dignity of the 

court or the judicial process?

5. If your research is related to a case, would it be appropriate for 

your judge to take judicial notice of the sources you are using?

6. The ultimate question: Are you comfortable with your post 

becoming front-page news on a popular blog or lawyer news 

site? 

Be sure to find out whether your court, your judge, or both have 

policies that govern online activities during your clerkship, and obtain your judge’s permission before participating in such activities. 

Also ask for your court’s policies regarding use of government computers and computer services. You cannot exercise too much caution 

with online activities.

Examples

• Malia just started a clerkship. Malia’s judge told her that she may continue to participate in online social networking, as long as she abides by 

her ethical obligations. May Malia include in her social networking profile that she works as a federal law clerk? Malia should avoid identifying 

the federal judiciary, her particular court, or her judge as her employer. 

Such identification increases the likelihood that anything Malia posts 

will be associated with the courts. However, if Malia has an important reason for identifying her employer on a particular site—if, for 

example, she wants to participate in a job-search or a professionalnetworking site—she should consult with her judge.

• In the most recent presidential election, Garrett campaigned strongly for 

the successful candidate. Garrett knows he may not participate in po-
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 17

litical activities during his clerkship, and he removed his party affiliation 

from his social networking profile. His profile picture, however, prominently displays him wearing a campaign T-shirt for the President. Is this 

permissible? No. The T-shirt clearly affiliates Garrett with a political 

party and a politician. He should remove the photo from his networking profile.

• Fred loves food. He especially loves pastries, and has, for several years, 

maintained a modest blog cataloguing his endeavors to make French pastries. May Fred continue this blog while clerking? Yes. He may continue 

the blog, provided his judge consents and his blog sticks to culinary 

commentary.

• Minerva uses a social networking site to tell her friends and family about 

her adventures clerking in a new city. Usually, her messages are not workrelated, but the court just issued an important civil rights opinion, and 

Minerva wants to send a link so that people can read the opinion as soon 

as it becomes available. Should she do this? Minerva should check with 

her judge. Although the opinion would be public by the time she sent 

the link, Minerva may unintentionally give impressions regarding the 

opinion that would be improper, such as a predisposition about the 

legal issues at stake.

• Chase worked on an opinion that struck down a state law as unconstitutional under the First Amendment. This morning the court published 

it. May Chase update his online “status” with any of the following comments: (a) “Just scored a major win for free speech!” (b) “Check out Freespeaker v. New York, published today. Interesting opinion.” (c) “Dear 

New York: please stop infringing free speech.” (d) “I ♥ the First Amendment.”? No. None of these comments is appropriate. Chase should not 

post online any comments about cases or legal issues that have come, 

or could come, before his court.

Gifts

The ethics rules place restrictions on the kinds of gifts you may receive during your clerkship and from whom you may receive them. 

Under the rules, “gifts” are not just presents wrapped up with nice 

bows. The Judicial Conference Gift Regulations, § 620.25, define 

gifts as “any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, 

loan, forbearance, or other similar item having monetary value.” 
18 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

You may not solicit or accept gifts from anyone “who is seeking official action from or doing business with the court” or anyone 

“whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance 

of” your official duties. Gift Regulations § 620.30; Code of Conduct 

Canon 4C(2). You also may not accept any gift in return for being 

influenced in the performance of an official act, or accept gifts on a 

basis so frequent that it appears you are using your law clerk position 

for private gain. Gift Regulations § 620.45.

The Code of Conduct imposes the additional duty that a judicial 

employee should endeavor to prevent any household family members from soliciting or accepting any gift that the judicial employee 

may not accept. Canon 4C(2).

There are exceptions to the general prohibition on receipt of 

gifts. You may accept gifts from relatives and friends on special occasions, such as an anniversary or birthday. You may also accept invitations to bar-related functions. Gift Regulations § 620.35.

You may also accept ordinary social hospitality; scholarships or 

fellowships available on standard terms; and opportunities and benefits, including commercial discounts that are offered on the basis of 

factors other than your status as a judicial employee. You may also 

accept rewards and contest prizes, and anything for which market 

value is paid. Gift Regulations § 620.25(a)–(h).

Examples

• The local Inn of Court invited Warren to attend an introductory reception at which there will be modest free food and drinks. May Warren 

attend? Yes. Warren may attend this event, sponsored by a law-related 

organization, at which regular social hospitality will be offered.

• Nanette’s judge is celebrating 20 years on the bench this year, and she is 

helping organize a party in his honor. May Nanette approach the judge’s 

former firm to help sponsor the event? The judge always recuses himself 

from matters involving the firm. No. Nanette may not solicit the gift of 

sponsorship from the firm, which does business before the court. In 

addition, her solicitation of funds could at least create the appearance 

that her judge is asking for money from his former colleagues, which 

would also be inappropriate.

• A CLE seminar group invited Seamus to a national intellectual property 

law conference. The group asked him to participate in a panel on clerk-
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 19

ship application strategies for summer interns. In return, Seamus can attend the conference for free. The group offered Seamus’ co-clerk, Jean, an 

admissions discount. May Seamus and Jean accept the invitations? Yes. 

In general, a judge or judicial employee may accept gifts of an invitation and travel expenses to attend bar-related functions, educational 

activities, or activities dedicated to improvement of the legal system.

• As part of its interview process, a firm takes Yasmin to dinner at a fancy 

local restaurant. A few days later, the firm offers Yasmin a position after 

her clerkship ends, which she accepts. The firm then invites her to attend its annual retreat, at a nearby fancy mountain resort. May Yasmin 

accept the dinner and the invitation to the retreat? Yasmin may accept 

the dinner. Taking applicants to dinner is a standard part of the firm’s 

interview process, and thus unlikely to raise an appearance of impropriety. Yasmin may not attend the retreat. The retreat is an expensive 

gift that suggests Yasmin is closely affiliated with the firm. This raises 

the appearance of impropriety. The gift regulations permit a judicial 

employee to accept benefits—such as an interview-related meal—that 

are provided in connection with bona fide employment discussions.

Where to look for guidance on gifts

• Advisory Opinion No. 83: Payments to Law Clerks from Future Law 

Firm Employers

• Compendium § 2.5-1: Future Employment [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 2.9-1: Benefits Received from Entities Doing Business with the Courts [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 4.8-5[1]: Discounts [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium §§ 21–29: Section on the Ethics Reform Act and Judicial Conference regulations concerning gifts

Community and Other Outside Professional and 

Social Activities

Like judges, many law clerks participate actively in community organizations and other outside professional and social activities. This 

involvement is laudable, and the ethics rules permit you to continue 

participating in these activities, with certain limitations. Be sure to 

consult with your judge; many judges have specific policies about 

outside activities.
20 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Canon 4A of the Code of Conduct sets the basic threshold for involvement by law clerks in any outside activities, including business, 

financial, and fiduciary activities. It permits you to undertake these 

activities as long as they do not interfere with the performance of 

your official duties or adversely reflect on the operation and dignity 

of the court. You may participate in charitable, religious, cultural, 

avocational, and recreational activities. If you write, lecture, or teach, 

you must have your judge’s permission, especially if the topic is controversial, law-related, or likely to be the subject of litigation.

You may engage in fund-raising; however, you may not use, or 

permit anyone else to use, the prestige of your position with the 

court in a fund-raising effort. You may not solicit funds from lawyers 

or persons likely to come before the court, nor may you solicit funds 

from subordinates or other court personnel.

Do not raise funds for organizations that litigate regularly in any 

court or for organizations that take controversial stands on issues 

that may find their way to federal court. Do not solicit funds for or 

contribute to a partisan political organization, candidate, or political 

event.

If an outside activity relates in any way to the law or the legal 

system, consult with your judge before engaging in that activity. During your clerkship, you may not practice law. The rules permit only 

a few narrow exceptions: you may appear pro se; you may perform 

routine legal work concerning the management of your own affairs 

or those of a family member (although you may not enter an appearance in federal court); and you may act pro bono in certain civil 

cases (although you may not enter an appearance in any state or 

federal court or administrative agency).

Compensation for outside activities 

You may earn compensation from certain outside activities or receive reimbursement for expenses related to those activities, but 

there are limits. See Canon 4E. You may receive compensation for 

a series of speeches or articles, as long as they are unrelated to your 

official duties. You may not, however, accept honoraria, which are 

defined as payments for a single appearance, speech, or article. You 

may not receive compensation for the limited practice of law that is 

authorized by Canon 4D.
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 21

You may need to file reports regarding compensation or reimbursement for outside activities. Check with your court regarding 

such requirements.

Use of office equipment

You may be tempted to use office equipment and courthouse services 

for tasks associated with your outside activities. Be careful. Judicial 

employees have a responsibility to protect and conserve government 

Outside Legal Activities—A Checklist

You should consult with your judge before engaging in any outside activity that might be construed as legal. If you answer yes to 

any of the questions below, you should not engage in the activity. 

• Does the activity interfere with your performance of your 

official duties?

• Will the activity exploit your government position?

• Does the activity present an appearance of impropriety or 

reflect adversely on the court?

• Will the activity associate you in a substantial financial manner with attorneys appearing in your court?

• If the activity involves routine family legal work, does it

• involve any appearance in federal court?

• occur while you are on duty or in the workplace?

• result in compensation (other than in probate proceedings)?

• If the activity involves the pro bono practice of law, does it

• involve any appearance in a federal, state, or local court 

or administrative agency?

• occur while you are on duty or in the workplace?

• involve a matter of public controversy or an issue likely 

to come before your court?

• result in compensation?

• Is the activity inconsistent with any additional condition or 

limitation your judge imposes on law clerks’ law-related activities?
22 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

property and should not use government property for other than 

authorized purposes.

Never use office equipment and services for outside activities in 

a manner that imposes substantial costs on the government. Your 

court may have a policy permitting the de minimis use of resources, 

such as occasionally copying short documents. Use that does not impose any cost on the government, such as use of the court’s library 

in the evening, should also be acceptable. However, any practice of 

law that is permitted under Canon 4D should not take place in the 

workplace.

Examples

• Nelson’s church invited him to assume an important position as lay leader. This position requires extensive community outreach. May he accept? 

Yes. Nelson may accept the position, so long as it does not include activities that would jeopardize his ethical obligations as a clerk. He may 

not, for example, speak about a controversial social topic that might be 

litigated in court.

• During law school, Vasily worked as a guardian ad litem representing 

children in abuse and neglect proceedings. Vasily would like to continue 

representing one of the children, in a case with heartbreaking facts. A 

state judge will preside over the proceeding. May Vasily continue the representation? No. Vasily may perform certain pro bono legal work in 

non-criminal cases, but he may not represent a client in any state or 

federal court or before an administrative agency.

• Donna, a career law clerk, would like to join the newly formed local chapter of a national organization devoted to promoting conservative legal 

views. May Donna join the group? Yes. Donna may join the group, as 

long as the group does not participate in or sponsor political activities and as long as Donna’s involvement does not raise an appearance 

of impropriety based on certain considerations. For example, Donna 

should avoid involvement with the advocacy group if it suggests a predisposition as to legal issues or an influence due to the relationship. 

Concerns would also increase with Donna’s level of involvement (i.e., 

attendee, contributor, member, or officer); the group’s degree of advocacy; and any overlap between the group’s activities and her official 

duties. Similar considerations govern involvement in public protests.
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 23

• Before her clerkship, Tammy participated actively in a local legal aid organization. The organization asked her to serve on its board of directors. May she? No. Assuming that the organization regularly represents 

clients who appear before Tammy’s judge, acceptance of the position 

would require her to withdraw from participation in such cases. Clerks 

should not engage in activities that would often make them ineligible 

to work on cases assigned to their judges.

• A few months into his clerkship, a local law school invites Guillermo to 

teach a seminar on international tax law as a visiting professor. Guillermo would like to accept the invitation, as he hopes to become a law 

professor after his clerkship. May he teach the seminar? Yes. Subject to his 

judge’s prior approval, Guillermo may teach the class. He must make 

sure to adhere to his ethical obligations while teaching. He must not, 

for example, discuss any of his judge’s pending cases.

Where to look for guidance on participation in community and 

other outside activities

• Compendium § 1.3-1: Service in State Government Positions [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 2.11-1: Doing Business with Parties Before the 

Court [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 4.1-3[4]: Participation in Bar Association Activities, and Service on Boards and Committees [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 4.1-4[1]: Arbitration and Mediation [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 4.1-5[1]: Practice of Law [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 4.2-7: Nonprofit Civic, Charitable, Educational, 

Religious, or Social Organizations [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 4.4-6: Business Activities [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 4.6-6: Governmental Appointments [Judicial Employees]

• Compendium § 4.8-7[1]: Attendance at Seminars and Reimbursement of Expenses [Judicial Employees]

Career

Many law clerks serve the court for a year or two, and need to start 

thinking about future employment shortly after their clerkships 

begin. Other clerks serve for a longer period of time, but may also 
24 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

decide to pursue other professional opportunities. The ethics rules 

place limits on how you engage in activities related to future (or 

past) employment. Be mindful of three issues in particular.

First, a job search may create new conflicts of interest. Ask your 

judge if you may apply for a job with a firm that represents a party 

currently before the court. If you interviewed with a firm but have 

not accepted an offer, your judge has discretion about whether you 

may work on matters involving the firm. Once you have accepted an 

offer, however, the ethics rules take the decision out of your judge’s 

hands. You may not work on any pending or future cases involving 

your future employer.

Second, do not let down your guard regarding confidentiality 

during your job search. Exercise care when preparing applications. 

Ask your judge whether you may submit written work from your 

clerkship as part of your application. While some judges may permit 

you to use a redacted bench memorandum, draft opinion, or order 

as a writing sample, others may not.

Maintaining confidentiality can be particularly challenging during job interviews. Prospective employers may probe for insight into 

your judge’s deliberative process and your contributions to judicial 

opinions, but your confidentiality obligations remain firmly in place. 

Check with your judge before you interview. You should be able to 

speak generally about your role as a law clerk without divulging specific cases or legal issues.

Third, prospective employers may offer gifts or benefits that raise 

ethical issues. Generally, you may accept benefits that employers customarily provide in connection with bona fide employment discussions, such as meals or hospitality during the application process. 

Once you accept a position, an employer may offer additional 

benefits, such as a clerkship bonus, compensation for bar-related 

expenses, or an invitation to a firm retreat. During your clerkship, 

you may only accept bar expenses and relocation expenses. You may 

not accept clerkship bonuses or other financial incentives (such as 

interest-free loans or salary advances). You should generally decline 

invitations to major firm events, such as retreats, although you may 

want to check with your judge regarding invitations to other firm 

events, as circumstances vary.
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 25

Finally, your ethical obligations impose certain ongoing restrictions that follow you to the next step in your career. You may not 

participate in any matter that was pending before your judge during 

your clerkship. Your judge may have a policy about whether you may 

appear before the judge and, if so, how much time must first elapse. 

The court for which you clerked may also place restrictions on your 

participation and appearance in matters. It may be helpful to check 

on these restrictions before your clerkship ends. And, of course, your 

confidentiality obligations continue. Former law clerks must observe 

the same restrictions on disclosing confidential information as current clerks do.

Examples

• After Clementine accepted an offer to work for a local law firm after her 

clerkship, the firm invited her to a day-long training session on how to 

take a deposition. May Clementine attend? No. Clementine should not 

attend the training, which would be a benefit from an organization 

that does business with the court. Clementine may not attend even if 

she has already isolated herself from the firm’s cases.

• Daniel has been offered a position in a U.S. Attorney’s Office in another 

part of the state. Must he isolate himself from any matter involving a U.S. 

Attorney’s Office? No. He is only restricted from working on matters 

handled by the specific U.S. Attorney’s Office he is joining.

• Joshua accepted a job with a large law firm. Before his clerkship ends, 

the law firm asks for a list of all matters he has worked on. It wants to 

run a conflicts check. May Joshua comply? No. The matters that Joshua 

worked on are confidential and may not be disclosed—before or after 

Joshua starts work at the firm. When he arrives at the firm, Joshua may 

identify which of the firm’s current matters he cannot work on, so that 

he can continue to comply with his obligations to the court. 

• Sam accepted an offer with a firm, which offers (a) a salary advance of 

up to $7,000; (b) a clerkship bonus of $50,000; (c) reimbursement for a 

bar review course and bar exam fees; and (d) reimbursement for relocation costs. Which, if any, of these may Sam accept? During his clerkship, 

Sam may accept reimbursement for bar-related expenses and relocation costs. But he may not accept the salary advance or bonus until his 

clerkship concludes. A salary advance is impermissible because it is 

considered an interest-free loan. 
26 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Where to look for guidance on career

• Advisory Opinion No. 74: Pending Cases Involving Law Clerk’s Future Employer

• Advisory Opinion No. 81: United States Attorney as Law Clerk’s 

Future Employer

• Advisory Opinion No. 83: Payments to Law Clerks from Future Law 

Firm Employers

• Compendium § 2.5-1: Future Employment [Judicial Employees]

Ethics Checklist for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

This section presents a checklist of actions and circumstances that 

could raise an ethical issue. When these actions or circumstances occur, or seem likely to occur, you should be aware of potential ethical 

issues and discuss the appropriate course of action with your judge. 

Your judge may have stricter standards than those of the Code of 

Conduct or statutes. If so, you must follow the policies of your judge.

Confidentiality

It is always important to observe your judge’s specific requirements 

about the confidentiality of your court work and chambers discussions. You should find out exactly how your judge wants you to

• deal with the press, including

• restrictions on communications with the press

• procedures to follow when contacted by the press

• the availability of written guidelines for press inquiries

• deal with counsel, including

• restrictions on communications with counsel

• procedures to follow when contacted by counsel

• handle case-related discussions with court staff who do not 

work in your judge’s chambers, including other law clerks.

Conflicts

Your judge maintains a list of people, companies, and cases that 

would generally preclude his or her participation in related cases 

that come before the court. Most courts use this list to make sure 

such cases are not assigned to your judge. As a law clerk, you should 
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 27

maintain a similar list to check for possible conflicts whenever you 

may be assigned to work on a case. 

You should include on this list

• any company in which you

• personally own one or more shares of stock or some other 

financial interest

• have an equitable interest (e.g., as a vested beneficiary) in 

an estate or trust that has a financial interest in the company

• serve as an officer, director, advisor, trustee, or active participant in the affairs of the company

• serve as a fiduciary of an estate or trust that has a financial 

interest in the company

• any company in which your spouse or minor child has a financial interest

• any agency, company, or law firm with which you are discussing future employment.

You should inform your judge that you have an actual conflict if, 

in a case assigned to your judge,

• you have personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts

• you previously served as counsel in the matter

• your previous law firm served as counsel in the matter during 

your association with the firm

• your future law firm serves as counsel in the matter 

• you are a party

• you are likely to be a material witness

• you have previously served in government employment as 

counsel, advisor, or material witness in the matter, or expressed an opinion concerning the merits

• your spouse or a close relative is a party or counsel in the matter

• your spouse or a close relative is an officer, director, or trustee 

of a party

• your spouse works for a law firm that represents a party in the 

matter
28 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

• your spouse or a close relative is likely to be a material witness

• you, your spouse, or a close relative has an interest that could 

be substantially affected by the outcome of the case.

Caution

Clerks must exercise special caution in political activities, online activities, and accepting gifts. You may not

• engage in partisan political activities, either as a candidate or 

on behalf of others

• engage in nonpartisan political activities.

Clerks must ensure that their online activities do not conflict 

with their ethical obligations or undermine the impartiality and independence of the court. Ask your judge about his or her policies, or 

the court’s policies, if you

• contribute to a blog

• maintain a profile on a social or professional networking site.

Community Activities

Clerks are not expected to give up their lives outside the courthouse, 

but working for the judiciary does impose constraints that may not 

be obvious. Some activities you take for granted may be inappropriate while you are employed as a clerk; for example, do you

• serve as a member or on the board of a professional or lawrelated organization?

• serve as a member or on the board of a civic, charitable, or 

social club?

• belong to an organization that litigates frequently in federal 

court?

• belong to an organization engaged in lobbying or political activities?

• raise funds for your outside activities?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, consult with your 

judge.
Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks 29

You should also find out exactly how your judge wants you to 

deal with opportunities to write, speak, or publish, including

• restrictions on writing and publishing during your clerkship

• procedures to be followed before agreeing to speak, write, or 

teach

• restrictions on law-related subjects

• restrictions on other subjects.

Career

Because most clerkships are short-term, clerks are often in the process of securing future employment. Some may work at other jobs. 

In addition to being familiar with ethical restrictions, be sure you 

understand exactly how your judge wants you to

• deal with law practice or other outside employment, including

• restrictions on the practice of law (pro bono or otherwise)

• restrictions on other law-related pursuits.

• deal with efforts to seek future employment, including

• applying to or interviewing with prospective employers 

before your clerkship ends

• using writing samples produced during your clerkship

• discussing your contributions to your judge’s work

• discussing your judge’s office procedures and proclivities

• working on matters handled by law firms with whom you 

are seeking employment

• accepting a job offer before your clerkship ends.
30 Maintaining the Public Trust: Ethics for Federal Judicial Law Clerks

Appendix: How To Obtain Online Ethics 

Resources

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) and the Federal 

Judicial Center (FJC) maintain extensive ethics information online. 

The AO information includes the Code of Conduct for Judicial 

Employees, Advisory Opinions, the Compendium of Selected Opinions of the Codes of Conduct Committee, and regulations and statutes related to gifts and outside income and employment. To access 

any of this information (and more): 

• go to http://jnet.ao.dcn/Ethics; and

• select the resource you need.

The FJC’s website includes numerous education and training 

programs for law clerks, judicial employees, and judges. To access 

these programs: 

• go to http://cwn.fjc.dcn;

• click on “Ethics & Codes of Conduct” under “Resources by 

Subject”; and

• select the resource you need.

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