Sample Gifting Policy Language

Accepting gifts in exchange for booking court reporting services or other third-party services can compromise your ethical obligations under the Florida Bar.  Protect yourself by implementing a strong gifting policy in your office, distributing your policy to third-party vendors, and educating your staff as to your office policy.

Below is sample policy language for law firms that wish to prohibit acceptance of vendor gifts in exchange for work:

Effective immediately, no employee may accept, use, or pass on to another person any gift, favor, gratuity, or entertainment given by vendors in order to influence a business transaction or to initiate a business relationship where one did not previously exist.

Experience has shown that the relationship between attorneys and vendors must be safeguarded such that the appearance of impropriety must be avoided.  Gifts of any amount are not permitted.