Block & Leviton LLP (“B&L” or the “Firm”) provides this Code of Ethics to define the Firm’s core values and provide guidance to ensure that a positive culture and high ethical standards are employed in our everyday operations. Adherence to the Code of Ethics ensures that our Firm will continue to enjoy a reputation of consistently ethical conduct and trustworthiness among our clients, colleagues, and peers.
Pursuit of Excellence
Our goal is to deliver on our promises to our clients duly and expeditiously. We take the time to understand how our clients’ businesses work and pursue excellence through continuous learning, communication, and teamwork. We also embrace the concept that each team member possesses a unique set of experiences, skills and expertise. By encouraging the free exchange of ideas and knowledge, we continuously elevate our practice, allowing us to deliver superior results to our clients. It is, therefore, not surprising that our mantra is “there are no monopolies on good ideas.”
Fairness
The Firm’s relationship with clients, peers, and employees is built on the fundamental concept of fairness. We do not deliberately mislead or deceive through misrepresentations, overstatements, partial truths or selective omissions in order to gain an unfair advantage. We disclose our fees and costs to our clients, and to the courts who oversee fee awards, in a straightforward, transparent manner and are always prepared to duly justify our calculations.
Respect for Others
We treat all people with equal respect and dignity regardless of their age, sex, culture, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic. We demonstrate our respect for human dignity, autonomy, and privacy. When hiring new team members, we treat all candidates similarly, except when particular distinctions are necessary and justified, such as differing levels of experience.
Accountability
Accountability is the acknowledgment and assumption of responsibility for one’s actions and decisions within the scope of his or her employment at the Firm. On a very practical level, it means that we must maintain the time and expense records necessary to support our assertions regarding work performed and fees requested. In addition, the partner in charge of a given matter is responsible for overseeing the vetting of all fee requests to be submitted for court approval, including the supporting records, to ensure that all work is properly accounted for and correctly charged to the case. It also means that we encourage our team members to promptly record time spent on tasks and the associated work performed in the Firm’s online time management system.
Conflicts of Interests
Before undertaking a new client or a new matter, the attorney in charge performs a conflict check. If a conflict of interest is ascertained, either the whole firm or individual members of our team are excluded from any participation in the matter in question. Every team member is required to promptly declare the existence of a conflict, or a potential conflict, of interest. Such team member must refrain from any further action with regard to the matter until receiving further instructions from the attorney in charge.
Data Protection and Privacy
B&L respects the right to privacy of our clients as well as our team members. We consider all personal data and information as sensitive and confidential and we treat it accordingly. When we collect various personal data and information necessary to duly carry out our business, we acknowledge the responsibility to protect its confidentiality and security. We never share such personal data and information with anyone unless we are required to do so by law. We use this information exclusively for the legitimate business purposes for which it was obtained and collected.
Diversity
B&L is proud to have people differing in age, sex, culture, race, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation on its team. We consider such diversity as a key value for the continuous success of our business. We apply the same point of view to our clients, colleagues, and peers. We protect and promote our diversity through, among other means, B&L’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy.