Creation of an ethics program for a Law Firm

1. Denise Baker & Roy Lunsford
MGT/216 Organizational Ethics and Social
Responsibly
Adrienne Reddick
May 12, 2010
Lunsford & Baker, P.A.

2. Agenda
 Introduction
 Moral & Ethical issues
 Code of Ethics
 Training
 Monitoring
 Enforcement
 Conclusion

3. Introduction
Lunsford & Baker, P.A.
Our goal is to promote ethical, legal, and professional practices.
Lunsford & Baker will always treat our employees, customers and
community with dignity, honesty, fairness and respect.
 Law firm that represents cases that involve personal injury
 workers compensation
 medical malpractice
 automobile accidents
 employment discrimination claims
 American with Disabilities Act claims
 50 employees
 attorneys
 legal assistants
 legal investigators
 legal auditors
 support staff

4. Moral & Ethical Issues
 Dishonesty
 Breach of confidentiality
 Fraud
 Misrepresentation
 Discrimination
 Improper use of company assets
 Theft
 Dealing with ethical issues:
 Developed a code of ethics
 Leadership and human resources ensure they go though the proper procedures in
hiring individuals with high ethical standards
 Leadership provides support to individuals facing an ethical dilemma
 The expectation for leadership is to maintain a culture that upholds ethical
behaviors by leading by example and ensure all employees attend our required
ethical training

5. Code of Ethics Positives
Code
of
Ethics
Builds trust
internally &
externally
Increases
awareness
of key
ethical
issues
Foster
reporting of
misconduct
Clarifies
where
employees
would go
to seek
advise
Guides
employees to
make right
decisions
while
performing
their job
Guide to
decision
making
Encourages
staff to
seek advise

6. Code of Ethics
Topics covered
Equal employment Discrimination Proper Use
Safety & Health Drugs & alcohol Confidentiality
Conflicts of Interest Gifts/Entertainment Proper Use
Obligation to report Consequences How to report
Commitment to investigate
 Reporting - E-mail, mail, integrity hotline
 Very visible - Employee Portal, Postings, Newsletters

7. Ethics Training
New Employee Orientation
 First day of employment
 Acknowledgment
 On-site annual refreshers for employees
Leadership
 Legal education seminar twice a year
 View various scenarios, case studies, etc.
 Must identify, discuss, analyze and resolve ethical issues
 This training may also be given more frequently if the company felt it
necessary

8. Positives of Ethical Training
Ethical
Training
Educate
employees
Reinforces
the code
Gather feedback,
measure
effectiveness &
continually improve
Encourage
employees
to become
active

9. Monitoring
 HR Consultant Company
-Metrics based
 Whistle Blowers(Sidebar Program)
 Employees awarded for founded Ethical
Issues

10. Planning and Policy
 Legal firm Atmosphere
 Different language and conduct with
lawyers

11. Benefits
 Lawyers-Tuition Paid For
 All other staff-Grants for college education

12. Enforcement
 Managers rigorously trained
-pay is effected by metrics system
 Staff is trained
 Clear 1-2-3 process for violation of ethics

13. Broken Promises
3rd Offense
Lawyers-Letter sent to BAR to disbar license

14. References
 Hoye, Williams 2008. Ethics workshop. Retrieved May 3, 2010 from
http://www.acli.com/NR/rdonlyres/3EEA07C8-4861-4E41-9A66-
EC8567C40BDB/11707/Sun102107EthicsworkshopHoyeWilliamHANDOUT.pdf
 Code of Ethics Model (2010). A sample Model Developed by
USDOT/AGC/ARTBA/AASHTO. Retrieved May 3, 2010 from
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/cqit/ethcmodl.cfm#s01
 LRN, 2010. 2001 Ethics Resource Center. A Guide to Developing Your Organizations’
Code of Ethics. Retrieved May 4, 2010 from http://www.lrn.com/resources/business-
code-of-ethics.html