Defense of Code of Ethics Violations

California professionals may be members of professional associations.  Professional associations can confer valuable benefits, including continuing education, resolution of disputes with clients, marketing affiliations, sponsorships, and bolstering the credentials of the licensee in the community.  However, if a member of an association is accused of a violation of the code of ethics, the resulting discipline can create a damaging public record of discipline and even affect state licensing.

California professional associations that discipline members for violations of their code of ethics include:

• CAMFT – California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• NAR – National Association of Realtors
• CAR – California Association of Realtors
• CACM – California Association of Community Managers
• CDA – California Dental Association
• CalCPA – California Society of CPAs
• IAYT – International Association of Yoga Therapists
• CPTA – California Physical Therapy Association

How Ray & Bishop Can Help

Ethics procedures in private associations can lack a robust, fair and impartial process to insure fair treatment of a member.  Once an outside law firm is involved, a private association will know that it is under scrutiny and may be held accountable for any damage it causes by illegal or unfair actions.  Our experience and knowledge of private association bylaws, rules and procedures, and the state and federal laws that regulate private associations, can result in superior outcomes.  The desired outcome of any ethics inquiry by a private association is dismissal, or at least that no adverse publicity or referral to an outside governmental agency occurs.