Don't Facebook The Judges Who Are Deciding Your Client's Case

The New York Times recently wrote about a ruling by a Florida lawyers disciplinary ruling that forbids lawyers from friending on Facebook the judges before whom they appear.  I think the ruling makes sense.  I am surprised that a ruling even had to be made.  I mean, what do you do when the Judge throws your client's case out of Court?  Do you post something on the Judge's page that says he or she is a moron?  There are just a bunch of problems with it.  On the other hand, Judges do often belong to the same organizations as lawyers.  For instance, in New York, Judges belong to the local bar organizations and it is not rare that you get the chance to talk to a judge over a couple of drinks at the bar association's holiday party. The rule is however that you cant "talk" about any pending cases.  So, in short, while there are situations that just smack of impropiety, there are occassions where it is just a fact of life.  By the way, if you want to be my facebook friend, check me out here and send me a request.