Advertising a probate judge on staff triggers ethics problems

Joseph Secola is a Probate Judge in Brookfield, Connecticut and is also engaged in the active practice of law.  His partner, Micky Fox, posted a notice on-line that his partner (Judge Secola) “is not only a Probate Judge in Brookfield, CT, but * * * also licensed in New York.”

An ethics complaint has been filed.  Judge Secola states that the posting was a “complete and total mistake” and that Micky “doesn’t understand the ethical restrictions I’m under.”  Judge Secola also indicated that he doesn’t even put on his letterhead that he is a probate judge.

See Kim Martineau, Actions Of Probate Judge’s Law Partner Prompt Ethics Complaint, Courant.com, July 4, 2008.

It is interesting to note that in some states (like Connecticut), probate judges are allowed to practice law simultaneously with sitting on the bench.

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this situation to my attention.