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WAGNER LAW FIRM, P.C. <br />CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY <br />I. Conflict of Interest Defined: <br />A conflict of interest is defined as an actual or perceived interest by a Board member <br />or employee in an action that results in, or has the appearance of resulting in, personal, <br />organizational, or professional gain. A conflict of interest occurs when an employee or <br />Board member has a direct or fiduciary interest in another relationship. A conflict of <br />interest could include: <br />a. Ownership with a member of the Board of Directors or an employee where <br />one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a client <br />who receives services. <br />b. Employment of or by a member of the Board of Directors or an employee <br />where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a <br />client who receives services. <br />c. Contractual relationship with a member of the Board of Directors or an <br />employee where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or <br />with a client who receives services. <br />d. Creditor or debtor to a member of the Board of Directors or an employee <br />where one or the other has supervisory authority over the other or with a <br />client who' receives services. <br />e. Consultative or consumer relationship with a member of the Board of <br />Directors or an employee where one or the other has supervisory authority <br />over the other or with a client who receives services. <br />The definition of conflict of interest includes any bias or the appearance of bias in a <br />decision-making process that would reflect a dual role played by a member of the Firm. An <br />example, for instance, might involve a person who is an employee and a Board member, or <br />a person who is an employee and who hires family members as consultants. <br />2. Emplovee and Board Member Responsibilities: <br />It is in the interest of the Firm, individual employees and Board members to <br />strengthen trust and confidence in each other, to expedite resolution of problems, to <br />mitigate the effect and to minimize organizational and individual stress that can be caused <br />by a conflict of interest. <br />Employees are to avoid any conflict of interest, even the appearance of a conflict of <br />interest. This Firm serves the community as a whole rather than only serving a special <br />interest group. The appearance of a conflict of interest can cause embarrassment to the <br />Firm and jeopardize the credibility of the Firm. Any conflict of interest, potential conflict of <br />interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest is to be reported to Ms. Wagner <br />immediately. Employees are to maintain independence and objectivity with clients, the <br />community and the Firm. Employees are called to maintain a sense of fairness, civility, <br />ethics and personal integrity even though law, regulation or custom does not require them. <br />