Judicial Elections and Courtroom Payola: A Look at the Ethical Rules Governing Lawyers' Campaign Contributions and the Common Practice of "Anything Goes"

Authors

Nancy M. Olson, United States District Judge for the Central District of California

Abstract

The article examines the potential for bias in judicial decision-making due to campaign contributions from attorneys, highlighting the inadequacies of current ethical regulations and proposing reforms to address these issues. It argues that while the U.S. Supreme Court has acknowledged the risk of bias, existing rules under the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct fail to adequately address gray areas, such as uncompensated services and indirect influence. The analysis emphasizes the need for stronger disqualification standards and disclosure requirements to maintain judicial impartiality and public trust.

Disciplines

Judges | Law | Law and Politics

Recommended Citation

Nancy M. Olson, Judicial Elections and Courtroom Payola: A Look at the Ethical Rules Governing Lawyers' Campaign Contributions and the Common Practice of "Anything Goes", 8 Cardozo Pub. L. Pol’y & Ethics J. 341 (2010).
Available at: https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cplpej/vol8/iss2/3