In a letter from the Ohio Ethics Commission issued on November 1, 2019, an informal opinion to Jason H. Beehler, the Ohio Ethics Commission opined that a law firm cannot host off-site receptions for conference attendees at no cost to the attendees.
In this letter, a law firm wanted to host an off-site event for the attendees of an Ohio School Boards Association conference at no cost that would provide food and beverage and informational seminars on school law. The law firm asked for guidance if such an event would be ethical if the event was provided at no cost to attendees or, in the alternative, at cost to the attendees.
The Ohio Ethics Commission opined that a law firm could not host an off-site event at no cost, because prior ethics guidance only allowed such events at a conference that provided a benefit to public officials. The Ohio Ethics Commission further opined that providing the event at a cost to conference to attendees would be ethical and that a minimal five to ten percent discount could be provided to a government employee.
To read this case, click here.
Authors: Matthew John Markling and the McGown & Markling Team.
Note: This blog entry does not constitute – nor does it contain – legal advice. Legal jurisprudence is like the always changing like the Midwestern weather. As a result, this single blog entry cannot substitute for consultation with a McGown & Markling attorney. If legal advice is needed with respect to a specific factual situation, please feel free to contact a McGown & Markling attorney.