ContractsCounsel Logo

Code of Ethics Cost

Updated: August 11, 2023
Clients Rate Lawyers on our Platform 4.9/5 Stars
based on 10,692 reviews
No Upfront Payment Required, Pay Only If You Hire.
Home Blog Code of Ethics Cost

Jump to Section

What does a code of ethics document cost? If you run a company or organization, you may ask this question. Let’s explore this question and review some general information about code of ethics documents.

How Much Does a Code of Ethics Cost?

A code of ethics is a document that businesses and organizations use to establish their:

  • Expectations
  • Standards
  • Values
  • Principles of conduct

While this document has no legal ramifications, it can serve as a policy statement that an organization expects its employees to follow. Code of ethics will also include penalties for violating the company’s policies.

A company’s code of ethics is usually published along with the organization’s mission statement, values, and other policy documents. Therefore, it should be easily accessible for all employees to access and read.

Any law doesn’t require a code of ethics, but it can be a valuable document for an organization. A well-written code can provide the following:

  • Policy for the actions and behavior of employees
  • Public statement of an organization’s core values
  • Risk mitigation by stating the consequences of violating the code
  • Benchmark for employee evaluation
  • Outline of high standards for the company

Many organizations choose to hire an attorney to draft the code of ethics. An attorney will know what information should be included in the document and how to phrase policies to represent the organization best.

Based on ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data, the average cost of a code of ethics is $1,125 across all states and industries.

What is Included in a Code of Ethics?

Codes of ethics will vary based on each organization, its values, and its mission as a company. Therefore, this document is highly customizable, and there is no set format for how a code of ethics must be drafted.

While the message may vary from company to company, a standard code of ethics will include the following information:

  • Introduction: The introduction should be a clear and concise statement of the organization’s values. This is often a message directly from the CEO of the company.
  • Statement of Values: The purpose of a code of ethics is to document the company’s values, so these values should be clearly stated. Some values include a mission statement, financial goals, professional standards, or social aspirations.
  • Rules of Conduct: These are the rules that employees are expected to follow while representing the company. Some rules you may find in a code of ethics are moral values like respect and honesty, truth in advertising, and discrimination policies.
  • Enforcement: It is important to include a section about how the code of ethics will be enforced and the consequences for violating the rules of conduct and company values described in the code.
  • Additional Resources: Many companies add the contact information for their human resource department, so if an employee has any questions about the code of ethics, they know who to contact.

Code of Ethics Projects

Code of Ethics Drafting

Hiring an attorney to draft a code of ethics is highly recommended. This document is used to communicate a company’s core values and standard of conduct and needs to be drafted correctly.

An attorney will know what information needs to be included in the code and the best way to display the organization’s mission.

Before an attorney drafts a company’s code of ethics, they will usually have a consultation with the company owner. The lawyer will learn about the company and get a clear idea of the standards and values that the owner wishes to include in the code of ethics.

After the lawyer has gathered all the necessary information, they will draft a code of ethics to represent the company.

Code of Ethics Review

Some company owners choose to draft their code of ethics. While this is entirely possible, it is recommended that the owner hire a lawyer to review the code of ethics before it is published.

A lawyer will review the code to fix any mistakes and ensure it includes all important information like a clear statement of the company’s standards and rules or consequences for violating the code.

Meet some lawyers on our platform

Daniel K.

9 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Tabetha H.

33 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Samuel R.

65 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Matthew C.

1 project on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Code of Ethics Drafting Cost

The cost to draft a code of ethics will vary based on:

  • The lawyer
  • How long it takes to write the code
  • Any additional legal services like consultations, revisions, and communications

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows that the average cost to draft a code of ethics is $989 across all states and industries.

Code of Ethics Review Cost

Reviewing documents like a code of ethics will utilize an attorney’s time and expertise, so if a company chooses to have a lawyer look over their code of ethics before publishing, they will incur legal fees.

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows the average cost to review a code of ethics is $1250 across all states and industries.

How Do Lawyers Charge for a Code of Ethics?

Hourly Rates for Code of Ethics

Hourly rates are one of the most common fee structures for lawyers in all legal fields. In this fee agreement, a lawyer will bill their client for the number of hours a case or project takes at a predetermined rate.

Typically, clients will be billed periodically throughout the duration of the case. The client may receive one bill after the legal services for shorter projects.

Attorneys often prefer hourly rates because it allows them to keep track of their time spent working on a case and receive compensation for all completed work.

For a client, hourly rates can be nerve-racking because they will not know their total legal fees until the end of the project.

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows the average hourly rate for a code of ethics lawyer ranges from $200 - $350 per hour.

Flat Fee Rates for Code of Ethics

When an attorney is hired to complete a specific task like drafting or revising a code of ethics, they may opt to use a flat fee rate structure rather than bill hourly. In this fee agreement, the lawyer will assess the project and quote the client a flat rate fee for the task. This fee is typically required to be paid upfront before the lawyer begins work.

While many attorneys like flat fee rates because they don’t have to log their hours, they are taking a financial risk. Suppose a project or case takes longer than expected or involves more work than estimated. In that case, a lawyer will not be compensated for extra time.

Before agreeing to a flat fee, a client should fully understand the fee. Consultations, communication, revisions, and legal guidance may not be included in the flat fee.

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows the average flat fee rate for a code of ethics is $1,125.

Get Help with a Code of Ethics

Do you need help with a code of ethics project? If so, post a project in ContractsCounsel’s marketplace to receive flat fee bids from corporate lawyers to handle your project. All lawyers on the ContractsCounsel’s platform are vetted by our team to make sure you are provided with top-tier service.

Need help with a Code of Ethics?

Create a free project posting

Meet some of our Lawyers

Ted A. on ContractsCounsel
View Ted
4.9 (19)
Member Since:
August 10, 2023
Daehoon P. on ContractsCounsel
View Daehoon
4.7 (118)
Member Since:
November 26, 2021

Daehoon P.

Corporate Lawyer
Free Consultation
New York, NY
9 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
American University Washington College of Law

Advised startups and established corporations on a wide range of commercial and corporate matters, including VC funding, technology law, and M&A. Commercial and Corporate Matters • Advised companies on commercial and corporate matters and drafted corporate documents and commercial agreements—including but not limited to —Convertible Note, SAFE, Promissory Note, Terms and Conditions, SaaS Agreement, Employment Agreement, Contractor Agreement, Joint Venture Agreement, Stock Purchase Agreement, Asset Purchase Agreement, Shareholders Agreement, Partnership Agreement, Franchise Agreement, License Agreement, and Financing Agreement. • Drafted and revised internal regulations of joint venture companies (board of directors, employment, office organization, discretional duty, internal control, accounting, fund management, etc.) • Advised JVs on corporate structuring and other legal matters • Advised startups on VC funding Employment Matters • Drafted a wide range of employment agreements, including dental associate agreements, physician employment agreements, startup employment agreements, and executive employment agreements. • Advised clients on complex employment law matters and drafted employment agreements, dispute settlement agreements, and severance agreements. General Counsel • As outside general counsel, I advised startups on ICOs, securities law, business licenses, regulatory compliance, and other commercial and corporate matters. • Drafted or analyzed coin or token sale agreements for global ICOs. • Assisted clients with corporate formations, including filing incorporation documents and foreign corporation registrations, drafting operating and partnership agreements, and creating articles of incorporation and bylaws. Dispute Resolution • Conducted legal research, and document review, and drafted pleadings, motions, and other trial documents. • Advised the client on strategic approaches to discovery proceedings and settlement negotiation. • Advised clients on employment dispute settlements.

Jeremiah C. on ContractsCounsel
View Jeremiah
5.0 (43)
Member Since:
March 5, 2021

Jeremiah C.

Partner/Attorney at Law
Free Consultation
Houston
16 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NV, TX
Thomas Jefferson

Creative, results driven business & technology executive with 24 years of experience (15+ as a business/corporate lawyer). A problem solver with a passion for business, technology, and law. I bring a thorough understanding of the intersection of the law and business needs to any endeavor, having founded multiple startups myself with successful exits. I provide professional business and legal consulting. Throughout my career I've represented a number large corporations (including some of the top Fortune 500 companies) but the vast majority of my clients these days are startups and small businesses. Having represented hundreds of successful crowdfunded startups, I'm one of the most well known attorneys for startups seeking CF funds. I hold a Juris Doctor degree with a focus on Business/Corporate Law, a Master of Business Administration degree in Entrepreneurship, A Master of Education degree and dual Bachelor of Science degrees. I look forward to working with any parties that have a need for my skill sets.

Kimbrelly K. on ContractsCounsel
View Kimbrelly
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
November 1, 2022

Kimbrelly K.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Lake Lure, NC
26 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Attorney Kegler has been licensed to practice law in ​the State of North Carolina since 1998. Over the years,​ she has worked in firms that focused on small​ business financing, initial startup formation, to​ starting several businesses of her own with bootstrap​ financing to venture capital funding. As a Certified​ Dream Manager, she couples the skills of listening to​ understand the big picture to get to solutions that not​ only fit today's needs but also the long term needs of​ her entrepreneurial clients.​

Christina S. on ContractsCounsel
View Christina
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
November 1, 2022

Christina S.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Kingsport, TN
13 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TN
Appalachian Law School

I am an attorney who has been practicing for over a decade, experienced in multiple areas of law, both from a litigation and more procedural side. The great thing about my practice is that it has trained me to deal with so many different types of problems and to find solutions in a variety of legal scenarios that are almost never similar.

Karl D. S. on ContractsCounsel
View Karl D.
4.7 (2)
Member Since:
October 28, 2022

Karl D. S.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Middlebury, Connecticut
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CT, MA
Pepperdine University School of Law

Karl D. Shehu, has a multidisciplinary practice encompassing small business law, estate and legacy planning, real estate law, and litigation. Attorney Shehu has assisted families, physicians, professionals, and people of faith provide for their loved ones by crafting individualized estate and legacy plans. Protecting families and safeguarding families is his passion. Attorney Shehu routinely represents lenders, buyers, sellers, and businesses in real estate transactions, researching and resolving title defects, escrowing funds, and drafting lending documents. To date, Attorney Shehu has closed a real estate deal in every town in Connecticut. As a litigator, Attorney Shehu has proven willing to engage in contentious court battles to obtain results for his clients. While practicing at DLA Piper, LLP, in Boston, Attorney Shehu represented the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies in multidistrict litigations filed throughout the United States. He has been a passionate advocate for immigrants and the seriously injured, frequently advising against lowball settlement offers. He is willing to try every case to verdict, and he meticulously prepares every case for trial. Attorney Shehu began his legal career as a consumer lawyer, utilizing fee-shifting statutes to force unscrupulous businesses to pay the legal fees of aggrieved consumers. For example, in Access Therapies v. Mendoza, 1:13-cv-01317 (S.D. Ind. 2014), Attorney Shehu utilized unique interpretations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, Truth-in-Lending Act, and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to obtain a favorable result for his immigrant client. Attorney Shehu is a Waterbury, Connecticut native. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel grammar school, The Loomis Chaffee School, and Chase Collegiate School before earning degrees from Boston College, the University of Oxford’s Said Business School in England, and Pepperdine University School of Law. At Oxford, Karl was voted president of his class. Outside of his law practice, Attorney Shehu has worked to improve the world around him by participating in numerous charitable endeavors. He is a former candidate for the Connecticut Senate and a parishioner of St. Patrick Parish and Oratory in Waterbury. In addition, Attorney Shehu has written extensively on the Twenty-fifth Amendment and law firm retention by multinational firms.

Myron M. on ContractsCounsel
View Myron
Member Since:
November 3, 2022

Myron M.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Dallas, Texas
26 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TX
South Texas College of Law

For over 20 years Myron E. Mims Esq. has provided legal and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses. Mims served as regional counsel for a real estate investment and development firm where he managed the Company’s contract execution and management, and dispute resolution affairs. Mims was responsible for oversight and risk management of all legal affairs, including management of a robust litigation docket consisting of a seven figure, multi-party construction lawsuit, and multiple vendor and tenant disputes. Mims prepared new contract docs and implemented execution and management processes that lead to the reduction of litigation. As a managing partner of Nixon Mims, LLP Mims provided legal and consulting services to clients of that consisted of real estate, construction, telecommunications, media and food industry businesses. Mims routinely assisted clients with developing corporate governance and management protocols, strategic planning initiatives, and advised clients in the negotiation and execution of complex business transactions. Mims routinely provided operational oversight and technical analysis for management. During this period Mims obtained firsthand experience of the access to capital impediments and challenges that growth-stage businesses face.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

Need help with a Code of Ethics?

Create a free project posting
CONTRACT LAWYERS BY TOP CITIES
See All Employment Lawyers

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

Need help with a Code of Ethics?

Create a free project posting

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city