Is it ok to ask a friend that is a former judge for legal advice…the former judge is now practicing corporate law in a different state
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Is it ok to ask a friend that is a former judge for legal advice…the former judge is now practicing corporate law in a different state
this is in regard to a civil contract case and I feel that my attorney has not performed up to standard and I asked a friend(a former judge) for advice about my case and my attorneys performance and now my attorney wants to excuse himself from this case that he has botched
Asked on June 10, 2009 under Business Law, Virginia
Answers:
M.S., Member, Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
The general rule is that once a judge leaves public service, and enters the private sector, you may approach the former judge just as you would any other private attorney. Therefore, the fact that this attorney was once a judge, and happens to be your friend, should have no bearing on whether or not you can ask him or her legal advice. To the contrary, a friend who was once a judge would probably be an ideal initial person to turn to for legal advice. If he or she is not able to help you, or feels that there is a conflict in any way, he or she will most likely be able to at the very least point you in the right direction so that you may be able to obtain the appropriate legal counsel.
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