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]
2003-13 (pdf/8pgs/260k) Disclosure of information that would adversely affect client;
Making false statements of material fact [3.401; 4.103]
2003-17 (pdf/6pgs/160k) Failure to demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care
and competence; Intentionally or recklessly misleading clients about the results that can
be achieved; Making false statement of material fact [1.101; 3.301; 4.103; 4.201]
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]
2005-15 (pdf/4pgs/156k) Wanton disregard of clients’ rights by failing to maintain valid
architectural license [2.104; 3.102]
2006-09 (pdf/4pgs/230K) Theft; Wanton disregard of the rights of others [2.104]
2006-11 (pdf/5pgs/230k) Failure to recognize professional contributions of colleague
[4.103; 4.201; 5.301]
2006-14 (pdf/5pgs/160k) Inaccurate statement of scope and nature of responsibilities in
connection with work; Failure to give appropriate credit; Recklessly misleading a client
about the results that can be achieved through the use of a Member’s services [3.301;
4.201; 5.301]
2006-15 (pdf/16pgs/227k) Failure to demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care
and competence; Wanton disregard of the rights of others; Making false statement of
material fact; Failure to respect the professional contributions of colleagues [1.101;
2.104; 4.103; 5.301]
2006-20 (pdf/8pgs/260k) Failure to demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care
and competence and technical knowledge and skill; Rendering professional services
when judgment could be affected by Member’s own interests [1.101; 2.140; 3.103; 3.201]
2006-21 (pdf/11pgs/280k) Wanton disregard of the rights of others; Failing to resolve or
notify others of unsafe condition resulting from client decision; Making false statement of
material fact; Failing to ensure ethical conduct of employee [2.101; 2.104; 2.105; 2.106;
3.101; 3.201; 4.101; 4.103; 4.201]
2007-14 (pdf/5pgs/240k) 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]
2007-15 (pdf/5pgs/160k) Recklessly misleading a client about the results that can be
achieved through the use of a Member’s services; Materially altering the scope or
objectives of a project without the client’s consent [3.103; 3.301]
2007-16 (pdf/3pgs/225k) Delay in filing a complaint; Misconduct as part of court
proceedings [1.101; 2.104; 3.301]
2007-18 (pdf/4pgs/230k) Failure to demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care
and competence and technical knowledge and skill [1.101; 1.401]
2007-22 (pdf/2pgs/212k) Failure to file complaint within one year of the alleged
violations [2.103; 2.104; 2.301; 3.101]
2007-23 (pdf/6pgs/238k) Wanton disregard of the rights of others; Making false
statement of material fact [2.101; 2.104; 4.103; 5.301]
2008-04 (pdf/3pgs/216k) Making false statement of material fact [4.101; 4.103]
2008-08 (pdf/8pgs/180k) Failure to demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care
and competence and technical knowledge and skill; Failure to take applicable regulations
into account; Materially altering the scope or objectives of a project without the client’s
consent; Disclosure of information that would adversely affect client; Making false
statement of material fact [1.101; 3.101; 3.103; 3.401; 4.103]
2008-14 (pdf/5pgs/236k) Inaccurate statement of scope and nature of responsibilities in
connection with work; Failure to give appropriate credit [4.201; 5.301]
2008-15 (pdf/2pgs/212k) Failure to file complaint within one year of the alleged
violations [3.103; 3.201; 3.301]
2008-20 (pdf/2pgs/212k) Making false statement of material fact [4.103]
2009-06 (pdf/5pgs/160k) Wanton disregard of the rights of others; Inaccurate statement
of scope and nature of responsibilities in connection with work; Taking copies of
photographs from a previous firm without permission [2.104; 4.201; 5.302]
2009-12 (pdf/6pgs/165k) Inaccurate statement of scope and nature of responsibilities in
connection with work; failure to give appropriate credit [4.201; 5.301]
2010-02 (pdf/4pgs/155k) Wanton disregard of the rights of others; Failure to give
appropriate credit [2.104; 4.201]
2010-07 (pdf/5 pgs/160k) Wanton disregard of the rights of others; Failure to give
appropriate credit [2.104; 4.201]
2010-09 (pdf/7pgs/175k) Disclosure of compensation or economic interest when making
public statements on architectural issues [2.301]
2010-14 (pdf/8pgs/175k) Knowing violation of law; Payment to a public official in
connection with project; Fraud or wanton disregard of the rights of others; Assisting a
client in fraudulent or illegal conduct [2.101; 2.102; 2.103; 2.104; 2.106]
2010-18 (pdf/5pgs/160k) Failure to file complaint within one year of the alleged
violations [1.101; 3.103]