ETHICAL CHARTER
INTRODUCTION
As lawyers, we are subject to specific ethical principles and rules which we hold dear: dignity, conscience, independence, integrity and humanity.
We are also committed to promoting respect for human rights and international labour standards, to strengthening our social responsibility through environmentally friendly initiatives and fighting corruption in all its forms.
The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to specify how we wish to implement these principles daily (1).
1. WORK ENVIRONMENT
In accordance with our social and human rights policy (2), the Firm strives to maintain a positive working environment that allows everyone to work serenely. The members of the Firm, lawyers and support staff, are expected to know and apply our internal rules on hygiene, health and safety (3) and to attend the regular training courses organised by the Firm in this regard.
Moral or sexual harassment, sexist acts, or discrimination in the workplace are not tolerated (4).
The Firm seeks to ensure a balance between professional and personal life, in particular through the appropriate deployment of teleworking and respect of the right to disconnect.
The Firm's objective is to develop the talents and skills of its lawyers and support staff. Lawyers benefit from fortnightly training and a training plan is defined each year for the Firm's support staff.
The Cabinet has a Works Council which ensures an ongoing constructive social dialogue.
With its associates, this is ensured via their spokespersons who ensure regular communication with the Firm's partners and who participate in events, particularly pro bono, supported by the Firm.
The Firm offers competitive pay, allowing everyone to benefit from an appropriate health and pension coverage scheme.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA
The Firm organises regular training courses on security rules and in particular with regards cybersecurity (5), and continuously ensures compliance with the applicable provisions concerning the collection and processing of personal data (6).
The Firm ensures that each of its members is aware of and complies with the access control measures applicable to persons from outside the Firm (7). Documents containing sensitive information must not be left in a place where an unauthorized person could read them, including on copiers. No document containing confidential information may be taken out of the Firm without the consent of a lawyer.
Particular caution should be exercised in dealing with the media. Only authorized Firm members may speak to the media on behalf of Firm.
3. QUALITY OF OUR SERVICES
The Firm pays particular attention to the quality of its services and work provided to its clients.
In addition, the Firm undertakes to provide its clients with clear information on the different types of available invoicing structures as well as precise invoices as to the services provided and the costs incurred.
4. PROTECTING OUR ASSETS AND KNOW-HOW
The know-how developed while working for the Firm is an asset. Each lawyer in the Firm is expected to share his or her know-how, namely by contributing to the initiatives of the Firm's Know-How Commission.
Everyone must call on the knowledge of others when the issues raised exceed their experience or knowledge.
No documentation or know-how belonging to the Firm may be retained in the event of departure, subject to the specific policy defined by the Firm concerning the departure of Associates (8).
The equipment made available by the Firm must be kept in good condition. Computer equipment must also be used and stored in optimal conditions of security and confidentiality (9).
5. FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION, MONEY LAUNDERING AND FINANCING OF TERRORISM, CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS, FRAUD AND COMPLIANCE WITH ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
In accordance with its legal and regulatory obligations and internal policy (10), the Firm complies with its anti-corruption obligations.
In addition, the Firm refuses to work with companies or individuals whose sources of financing are suspect, nor does it assist a client in providing or receiving products, services or technologies to or from any natural person, legal entity or country subject to national, regional or international sanctions. In this regard, the Firm has set up an AML procedure, which is monitored annually.
The members of the Firm, lawyers or support staff, must notify one of the Managing Partners if they can be considered to have the status of "politically exposed person" (11) or to be in a situation of conflict of interests.
6. RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
In accordance with its environmental policy (12), the Firm pays particular attention to environmental issues and is committed to reducing its consumption of energy and natural resources necessary for the exercise of its activities (13) and pays particular attention to compliance with the applicable rules on environmental protection and in namely with regards waste collection and recycling (14).
The Firm encourages its staff to use the train for their business trips in metropolitan France, works to improve its IT equipment and encourages its suppliers to adopt similar environmental commitments.
7. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
In accordance with its Responsible Purchasing policy (15), the Firm is committed to working with business partners who have put in place appropriate measures to enable them to comply with applicable laws, in particular those relating to human rights, labour rights, respect for the environment and the fight against corruption, as well as the rules on competition, intellectual property and personal data.
The Firm contributes to the promotion of the rule of law and supports access to justice. The Firm also assists its clients in implementing their ethical and CSR programs.
For its own lawyers and staff, the Firm supports and encourages their participation in charitable activities, particularly as part of its long-standing commitment to the Bus de la Solidarité, the Cravate Solidaire and to universities and the Bar Training School.
8. WHO TO CONTACT IN CASE OF QUESTIONS/DIFFICULTIES
The Firm has particularly high expectations of partners and those in management roles. They need to lead by example, develop a culture of ethics and foster an environment in which their teams are aware of the Code and feel comfortable seeking advice and reporting possible breaches.
If you have a question about our Code of Ethics, you can contact your responsible Partner, the Works Council or associate spokesperson. You can also contact our Ethics and CSR Manager.
If you wish to report a breach of our Code, the professional ethics rules applicable to lawyers or the law, please contact one of the Managing Partners. The Firm prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith any behaviour that is contrary to the law or our internal procedures.
Breaches of the Code, professional ethics rules applicable to lawyers, our internal procedures or the law may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for employees, termination of the collaboration contract for associates or dismissal for partners.
(1) This document is not intended to replace the Internal Regulations, the National Internal Regulations for Lawyers (RIN) and/or internal procedures. References to these documents are included in the text of the Code.
(2) See our social and human rights policy.
(3) See the Welcome Booklet.
(4) See the Internal Regulations (employees/trainees) and the RIN (partners/associates).
(5) See our IT Charter.
(6) See our personal data policy.
(7) See the Internal Regulations and the Welcome Booklet for the measures to be respected.
(8) See Procedure in the event of the departure of an associate
(9) See our IT Charter.
(10) See our policy on anti-corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing, conflicts of interest and fraud and compliance with economic sanctions.
(11) See our anti-corruption policy.
(12) See our environmental policy.
(13) See the Welcome Booklet.
(14) See the Welcome Booklet.
(15) See our Responsible Purchasing Policy.