JOSEPH E. SCHMITZ, PLLC
Code of Conduct and Ethics
Consistent with the requirements prescribed in the 2008 Manual for the United States Sentencing Commission, it is the policy of Joseph E. Schmitz, PLLC, that the following standards of conduct and ethics be overseen by "the organization's governing authority," i.e., by the Operating Manager (aka Chief Executive Officer), that the Chief Executive Officer take an active leadership role in maintaining the effectiveness of this Code, and that the Chief Executive Officer either review himself or be briefed annually on the effectiveness of this Code.
As the Chief Executive Officer, through his membership in the International Association of Independent Private Sector Inspectors General ("IAIPSIG"), has agreed to be bound by the IAIPSIG Code of Ethics, that Code of Ethics is hereby incorporated by reference and adopted. Moreover, because the Chief Executive Officer is the former Inspector General of the Department of Defense, and aspires to maintain a leadership role among IAIPSIG members, Joseph E, Schmitz, PLLC, hereby adopts, as much as any private sector company can do so and to the extent applicable, the following statutory standards of "exemplary conduct," which Congress has prescribed for American military leaders since 1775:
All commanding officers and others in authority in the naval service are required to show in themselves a good example of virtue, honor, patriotism, and subordination; to be vigilant in inspecting the conduct of all persons who are placed under their command; to guard against and suppress all dissolute and immoral practices, and to correct, according to the laws and regulations of the Navy, all persons who are guilty of them; and to take all necessary and proper measures, under the laws, regulations, and customs of the naval service, to promote and safeguard the morale, the physical well-being, and the general welfare of the officers and enlisted persons under their command or charge. [10 U.S.C. § 5947; cf. 10 U.S.C. § 3583 (Army); & § 8583 (Air Force)]
Finally, as the Chief Executive Officer is licensed to practice law in various jurisdictions, and thereby maintains professional status as an officer of various state and federal courts of law, all current and future officers and employees of Joseph E. Schmitz, PLLC, shall conform their conduct not only to Joseph E. Schmitz, PLLC, core values of Integrity, Transparent Accountability, Disciplined Teamwork, and Independence, but also to the following oath of office mandated by Congress for all "individual[s] elected or appointed to an office of honor or profit in the civil or uniformed services":
"I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." [5 U.S.C. § 3331]
This Code of Conduct and Ethics is effective as of March 19, 2009.
[SIGNED]
Joseph E. Schmitz
Chief Executive Officer
