National Ethics Council Decisions

[Applicable Rules in the 2007 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct are shown in brackets. Rule content and numbering may have been amended after the Decision was issued. ]

87-4 (pdf/3pgs/108k) Misrepresentation of qualifications [4.201]

87-6 (pdf/3pgs/112k) Inaccurate claim of professional credit; Failure to give credit where due [4.201;5.301]

88-7 (pdf/2pgs/88k) Withholding copies of photographs [5.303]

88-8 (pdf/2pgs/92k) Alleged false statement and partiality toward a party to a contract [2.101; 2.104; 3.202; 4.103]

88-14 (pdf/4pgs/132k) Negligent interpretation of zoning regulations; Misleading the client [1.101; 3.101; 3.301]

89-8 (pdf/4pgs/140k) Inaccurate claim of professional credit; Failure to give credit where due [4.201; 5.302]

90-1 (pdf/2pgs/96k) Material alteration of project scope and objectives without client’s consent [3.103]

90-2 (pdf/4pgs/188k) Failure to file a formal ethical complaint against an Associate Member who had lied about his status as a graduate of an architecture school; Making misleading, deceptive, or false statements about the professional qualifications of employees; Failing to make reasonable efforts to ensure that employees conform their conduct to the Code [4.101; 4.201; 4.202]

90-4 (pdf/2pgs/96k) Fraud and wanton disregard of the rights of others [2.104]

90-12 (pdf/2pgs/112k) Making misleading, deceptive, or false statements about the professional qualifications and experience of the employees of a firm [4.201]

91-2 (pdf/3pgs/132k) Unreasonable refusal by employer to give departing employee access to material relating to the employee’s work while with the firm [5.303]

91-8 (pdf/2pgs/128k) Inaccurate representation of qualifications and scope and nature of design work; Making misleading, deceptive, of false statements or claims about professional qualifications, experience, or performance [4.201]

92-3 (pdf/2pgs/104k) Giving appropriate credit to associated architect in media articles and design award program [4.201; 5.301]

92-5 (pdf/3pgs/148k) Inaccurate representation of qualifications and scope and nature of design work; Making misleading, deceptive, or false statements or claims about professional qualifications, experience, or performance [4.201; 5.301]

92-7 (pdf/3pgs/132k) Failure of one joint venture partner to properly credit another joint venture partner in a subsequent statement of qualifications [4.201; 5.301]

92-12 (pdf/5pgs/204k) Failing to design in conformance with applicable laws and regulations; Materially altering the scope or objective of a project without the client’s consent; Intentionally or recklessly misleading a client about the results that could be achieved through the use of a Member’s services [1.101; 2.101; 2.104; 3.101; 3.103; 3.301; 4.201]

93-4 (pdf/3pgs/124k) Failing to develop a design that could be constructed for the client’s stated budget [2.104; 3.301; 4.103]

93-5 (pdf/3pgs/124k) Conflict of interest—Pursuing zoning change for client’s property located adjacent to architect’s property [3.201]

93-7 (pdf/3pgs/128k) Knowingly violating the law in the conduct of Member’s professional practice by making illegal campaign contributions [2.101]

93-13 (pdf/3pgs/132k) Unreasonably withholding permission for a departing employee to take copies of work performed in the employer’s service [5.303]

94-2 (pdf/2pgs/100k) Misleading claim of credit for projects done while at a previous firm [4.201; 5.301]

94-5 (pdf/2pgs/112k) Accurately representing professional qualifications; Recognizing the professional contributions of business associates [4.201; 5.301]

94-7 (pdf/3pgs/132k) Failure to accurately represent the scope and nature of ones responsibilities in connection with work for which credit is claimed [4.201; 5.301]

94-9 (pdf/2pgs/104k) Withholding permission to take copies of non-confidential work performed in the employer’s service [5.303]

94-12 (pdf/3pgs/140k) Failure to give appropriate design credit; Unreasonably withholding permission for a departing employee to take copies of work performed while in the employer’s service [4.201; 5.301; 5.303]

94-16 (pdf/2pgs/108k) Copying of measured drawings; Signing and sealing construction drawings incorporating work of others [4.102]

96-07 (pdf/3pgs/76k) Failure to accurately credit work performed for previous employer [4.201]

96-08 (pdf/2pgs/76k) Failure to identify project experience as personal experience of employees while employed by other firms [4.201]

96-12 (pdf/2pgs/72k) Professional credit inaccurately stated by others [4.201]

96-15 (pdf/2pgs/60k) Admitted violation of licensing law [3.101]

96-16 (pdf/2pgs/84k) Violation of state licensing laws; Holding out as an architect when not licensed within state [2.101; 4.201]

98-06 (pdf/2pgs/80k) Pleading guilty to an aggravated misdemeanor [2.101]

99-07 (pdf/3pgs/88k) Preparing certificate of merit for professional malpractice claim against another architect as fraud or wanton disregard of the rights of others [2.104; 2.106]

2000-02 (pdf/6pgs/110k) Misusing business funds; Making misrepresentations about others; Wanton disregard of the rights of others [2.104; 4,101; 4.201]

2000-04 (pdf/2pgs/80k) Overbilling and taking money from clients; Larceny conviction; Knowingly violating the law; Fraud or wanton disregard of the rights of others [2.101; 2.104; 3.301]

2000-05 (pdf/7pgs/120k) Inaccurate statements of scope and nature of responsibilities in connection with work; Failure to give credit where due [3.301; 4.101; 4.201; 5.301]

2000-11 (pdf/6pgs/108k) Misleading statements of professional qualifications and experience; Inaccurate statements of scope and nature of responsibilities in connection with work; Failure to give credit where due [4.201; 5.301; 5.302]

2001-04 (pdf/6pgs/104k) Ignoring contractual obligations imposed on client; Counseling or assisting client in fraudulent or illegal conduct [2.101; 2.106]

2001-09 (pdf/4pgs/92k) Using partnership funds for personal use; Wanton disregard of the rights of others [2.101; 2.104; 4.101]

2001-20 (pdf/6pgs/108k) Failure to give credit where due; Discrimination on the basis of gender; Conflict of interest when architect serves on building committee; Withholding permission from departing employee to take copies of work [1.401; 2.101; 3.201; 3.202; 4.101; 4.201; 4.202; 5.301; 5.303]

2002-04 (pdf/9pgs/124k) Charging fee for initial appointment with client; Filing mechanic’s lien in fee dispute; Making false statement of material fact [2.104; 3.301; 4.103; 4.201]

2002-09 (pdf/5pgs/100k) Taking into account applicable laws and regulations; Recklessly misleading a client about the results that can be achieved through the use of a Member’s services [3.101; 3.301]

2002-16 (pdf/9pgs/132k) Failure to develop a design that meets client’s requirements and budget; Failure to provide consulting engineering services; Signing or sealing construction drawings incorporating work of others [1.101; 2.104; 3.102; 3.103; 3.301; 4.102]

2002-19 (pdf/14pgs/160k) Failure to demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care and competence [1.101; 2.101; 2.104; 2.106; 3.101; 3.301; 4.101; 5.301]

2002-21 (pdf/5pgs/108k) Using photographs of another architect’s work on firm’s Web site; Inaccurate claim of professional credit [4.201]

2002-22 (pdf/5pgs/100k) Copying construction documents prepared by others without permission; Inaccurate statement of scope and nature of responsibilities in connection with work [2.101; 3.102; 4.201]

2003-03 (pdf/3pgs/100k) Withholding permission from departing employee to take copies of computer files; Compensation as means of recognizing the professional contributions of employees [5.301; 5.303]

2004-05 (pdf/3pgs/88k) Misleading claim of credit for projects done while at a previous firm [4.201; 5.301]

2004-10 (pdf/5pgs/105k) Misleading or deceptive claim of credit for projects done while at a previous firm; Failure to give appropriate credit; Taking copies of photographs from a previous firm without permission [4.201; 5.301; 5.302]

2004-18 (pdf/5pgs/104k) Payment to a public official with the intent of influencing the official’s judgment; Taking into account applicable laws and regulations; Materially altering the scope of a project without the client’s consent [2.102; 3.101; 3.103]

2005-09 (pdf/10pgs/130k) Failure to demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care and competence; Materially altering the scope or objectives of a project without the client’s consent [1.101; 2.104; 2.106; 2.301; 3.103; 3.201; 3.202; 3.301; 3.401; 4.103]

2005-11 (pdf/5pgs/100k) Inaccurate statement of scope and nature of responsibilities in connection with work; Failure to give appropriate credit [4.201; 5.301]