Ethical practices, a long-standing policy in the legal profession, are just as important to conduct within your office as they are with clients and in the courts. With heightened expectations in all industries for corporate social responsibility, it is critical for today's law firms and companies to look beyond immediate economic benefits and strive to build a reputation for ethical business practices. This will help your firm earn a solid professional standing and pave the road to long-term success.

We are called upon every day of our lives to make ethical decisions. Obviously, different people operate from their own ethical standards. What represents integrity to one person may mean something entirely different to another. Conduct in a professional setting, however, is different altogether. Intense competition and an increasing focus on quick results often compound ethical dilemmas in the office.

In order to promote preferred professional practices, your firm should adopt a formal code of ethics in which standards of behavior are clearly outlined. Here are some principles to keep in mind when setting a formal code:

• Honesty – Do not lie to or deceive other people; do not manipulate the truth.
• Privacy – Respect personal privacy and confidentiality.
• Fidelity – Keep your promises and agreements; be trustworthy.
• Support – Help or benefit other people.
• Integrity – Make your actions reflect your ethical commitments.
• Courtesy – Do not harm other people.
• Justice – Treat people justly and fairly.
• Autonomy – Allow others to make their own decisions and act on them (freedom).

Setting the Standards
Is your office doing everything possible to monitor and improve ethical standards of behavior? Using the principles outlined above, create a set of ethical guidelines for your firm.

The first step is to think through what your firm's values are and what your firm stands for. (Ethics often fall by the wayside because right and wrong aren't clearly defined.) Next, define the daily conduct you expect from your employees and coworkers. Include issues such as managing privileged information, maintaining client confidentiality, taking care of office equipment and treating all coworkers with respect. Resources exist that can help you as you form your firm's ethical standards. Take advantage of groups such as the Association of Legal Administrators. It has model codes of ethical and professional responsibility for you and your firm to follow in creating your own policies.

Communicate this information in a straightforward manner that requires people to think about their professional behavior. Consider case studies or role-plays. Use firm newsletters, e-mail and other training programs to broadcast these standards.

Once guidelines are in place, reinforce them whenever possible. Perhaps your code of ethics can be used as part of your professional evaluations. Some offices tie compensation to performance, which includes ethics; others "audit" employees who are in positions that could be subjected to difficult moral decisions.

Regularly discuss ethical issues internally with the firm’s management. Attorneys are often required to fulfill Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Ethics and Professional Responsibility requirements – ask that legal secretaries, paralegals and other staff members be included in these courses and discussions.

A Professional Culture That Values Ethics
Ethical conduct should be built into every aspect of training and development, especially in areas such as decision-making and client interaction. Firms should have a mechanism in place (ombudsman, ethics review board, or some other avenue) that enables employees to raise ethical questions or report misconduct without fear of reprisal. Professional organizations are available to support you, as well. The bar association in your area should have a dedicated representative you can talk to if you have any questions or concerns.

Finally, employees should be rewarded – not punished – for upholding ethical standards, even when it results in the loss of a client. Most likely, by adhering to the ethical code, you have added favorably to your firm's professional reputation.