Conflicts of Interest Policy
THE ASSOCIATION OF THE BAR OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY
February 2, 2021
The Association has a responsibility to maintain the highest level of honesty and ethical conduct. Similarly, the Association’s directors, officers, members and employees bear a responsibility to maintain personal integrity and avoid financial and other interests that create a conflict or an appearance of conflict between their involvement with the Association and their personal affairs.
All officers, Board members, employees, members and volunteers who provide substantial services to the Association, when undertaking their responsibilities with regard to the Association, shall exercise those responsibilities with undivided loyalty. If there is a material personal, financial, professional or other interest that creates a conflict or the appearance of a conflict, or if the individual or a relative is a current owner, whether wholly or partially, director, officer or employee of the Association’s outside auditor or has worked on the audit at any time during the past three years, the individual shall report such conflict to the Executive Director or Counsel of the Association, except that reporting of conflicts with regard to financial interests shall be performed as set forth in Section A below.
The Executive Director or Counsel may advise the Audit Committee of the conflict if they deem it appropriate, and shall consider the conflict and advise the individual with the conflict as to whether disclosure, and possibly recusal, is necessary. Should the individual disagree with the determination of the Executive Director or Counsel, he or she may bring the matter to the Audit Committee, or the Executive Director or the Counsel may refer the matter to the Audit Committee.
Officers and Board members may raise such conflict issues in the first instance with the Chair of the Board or the Chair of the Audit Committee. If so, the procedure set forth in the above paragraph shall be followed, substituting those Chairs for the Executive Director or Counsel.
- Related Party Transactions1When an officer, Board member, an employee who is in a position to exercise substantial influence over the Association’s affairs or a key person2, becomes aware that the Association is considering entering into a transaction in which that individual, or a relative of such individual, or someone with whom the individual has an intimate personal relationship has a financial interest, he or she shall disclose the material facts regarding such interest to the Board or to such other committee authorized by the Board to receive such disclosure.
In addition to situations where the individual or the individual’s relative or other intimate personal relationship would receive remuneration as a result of the transaction, individuals should also report instances where the transaction would involve an entity in which the individual or relative or intimate personal relationship has 35% or greater ownership or beneficial interest or, in the case or a partnership or professional corporation, a direct or indirect ownership interest in excess of five percent.
For purposes of this Policy, “relative” means your (i) spouse or domestic partner; (ii) ancestors, brothers and sisters (whether whole or half blood), children (whether natural or adopted), grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and (iii) spouses or domestic partners of brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children.
The Association shall not undertake a related party transaction without the approval of the Board. The Board may approve such a transaction should it determine that the transaction is fair, reasonable and in the best interest of the Association, provided it considers alternative transactions to the extent possible. Any determination with regard to such transaction and the alternative transactions considered shall be documented in the Committee’s minutes. The individual who has such an interest in the party involved in the transaction shall not be present or participate in the deliberation or vote on the transaction.
With regard to other employees and Association members:
Any other employee who becomes aware that the Association is considering entering into a transaction in which that employee, or a relative of that employee, or someone with whom the employee has an intimate personal relationship has a financial interest, or
Any member other than an officer or Board member who has (i) responsibility with regard to Association funds or (ii) responsibility to recommend products or services for purchase by the Association, and becomes aware that the Association is considering entering into a transaction in which that member, or a relative of that member, or someone with whom the member has an intimate personal relationship has a financial interest:
shall disclose the material facts regarding such interest to the Executive Director and the Audit Committee. The Executive Director or the Audit Committee may refer the matter to the Board. If neither the Executive Director nor Audit Committee refers the matter to the Board, the Executive Director may approve such transaction if he or she determines that the transaction is fair, reasonable and in the best interest of the Association. However, if such transaction would normally be subject to approval by the Board, the information provided by the employee should be disclosed to the Board of Directors and the Board shall be responsible for approving the transaction after determining that the transaction is fair, reasonable and in the best interest of the Association. Any determination with regard to such transaction shall be documented in the Association’s records or in the Board’s minutes if that Committee makes a determination.
No individual who has a conflict of interest shall attempt to influence improperly the deliberation or voting on, or other determination of, the matter giving rise to such conflict.
- Receipt of Gifts
- No Association employee shall accept any cash gift payment, or accept any non-cash gift with a dollar value in excess of $100 from a vendor or any other party seeking to do business, or doing business, with the Association. Any gift received in excess of $100 shall be returned.
- No Association member shall accept any cash gift payment, or accept any non-cash gift with a dollar value in excess of $100, if that member believes or has reason to believe that the gift is motivated by a desire to obtain a benefit from the Association.
- Payments to VendorsNo Association officer, employee or member of the Board may offer or authorize gifts or payments to a vendor or any other party seeking to do business, or doing business, with the Association except payments legally owing for goods or services rendered.
Any violation of the Conflicts of Interest Policy by an employee of the Association may be cause for discharge. Any violation of the Conflicts of Interest Policy by an officer or member could be considered cause for sanctions including expulsion from the Association. Should any employee, officer or member have any questions with regard to the application of this Policy, that individual may contact the Executive Director, Counsel or Chair of the Audit Committee.
This Policy shall be distributed to all officers, Board members and employees, and to volunteers who provide substantial services to the Association, and shall be posted on the Association’s website.
In addition, prior to the election of any officer or Board member and annually thereafter, each such officer or Board member shall complete, sign and submit to the Secretary of the Association a written form identifying, to the best of his or her knowledge, any entity of which she or he is an officer, director, trustee, member, owner (either as a sole proprietor or a partner), or employee and with which the Association has a relationship, and any transaction in which the Association is a participant and in which he or she might have a conflicting interest. The Secretary of the Association shall provide a copy of all completed forms to the Chair of the Audit Committee.
