MA · rules
Mass. Code Jud. Conduct R. 3.10
Practice of law
Rule 3.10
A judge shall not practice lawDefinitionIncludes court rules and standing orders issued by the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, the Chief Justice of the Trial Court, or a Chief Justice of a Trial Court Department, as well as statutes, constitutional provisions, and decisional law. Chapter 268A §§ 3 and 23(b)(2) provide that conduct explicitly recognized by another statute or regulation may supersede certain provisions of Chapter 268A. The Rules of the Supreme Judicial Court are considered regulations for this purpose. In several instances, provisions of this Code supersede provisions of Chapter 268A. See Rule 1.1., except that:
(A) A judge may act pro se and may, without compensation, give legal advice to and draft or review documents for a member of the judge’s familyDefinitionAny of the following persons: a spouse or domestic partner; a child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling, whether by blood, adoption, or marriage; or another relative or person with whom the judge maintains a close family-like relationship. Residence in the household of a judge may be relevant but is not dispositive when determining whether a judge maintains a close family-like relationship with another relative or person. See Rules 3.7, 3.8, 3.10, and 4.1., but is prohibited from serving as the family member’s lawyer in any forum, and
(B) A judge may serve as a judge advocate general in the context of a judge’s service in the United States Armed Forces, the reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, or the National Guard.
History
Comment [1] A judge may act pro se in all legal matters, including matters involving litigation and matters involving appearances before or other dealings with governmental bodies. [2] A judge must not use the prestige of office to advance the judge’s personal or family interests. See Rule 1.3. [3] While performing legal services in the context of a judge's military service, the judge must confine that conduct to authorized activities. Adopted October 8, 2015, effective January 1, 2016
Provenance
- Source
- www.mass.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-17
- Edition
- 2026-09-16
- Content hash
25d19d4f26227afd251404c0a0a63f831f5e49817ad780e86c59a13037af2ef0
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