Under what condition must a lawyer report judicial misconduct?

A lawyer is required to report judicial misconduct when they know that a judge has committed a violation of applicable rules. This obligation stems from the ethical duty lawyers have to the integrity of the judicial system and their role in upholding the law. When a lawyer becomes aware of a judge's misconduct, it is their responsibility to take action to maintain the public's confidence in the legal system and ensure accountability.

This duty is rooted in the premise that lawyers play a critical role in the justice system, and part of that role includes not only representing their clients effectively but also contributing to a fair and unbiased administration of justice. Reporting misconduct helps prevent harm to the legal system and the parties involved.

The other options, while they touch on relevant aspects of a lawyer's obligations, do not encompass the broader ethical duty highlighted. For instance, while misconduct affecting a specific client's case is certainly a serious concern, the requirement to report is not limited to cases where the misconduct has a direct impact on a client's outcome. Likewise, having a personal relationship with the judge does not negate the obligation to report misconduct. Finally, the public knowledge of the misconduct does not trigger the reporting requirement; what matters is the lawyer’s knowledge of the violation itself. Therefore, the condition when a lawyer must