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Former Executive Director of the New York State Ethics Commission Encourages Private Companies and Not-for-Profit Organizations to Expand Corporate Governance Programs to Help Build Brand Equity

Posted on: Monday, 16 July 2007, 12:10 CDT

Karl J. Sleight, former executive director of the New York State Ethics Commission, and now a partner of law firm Harris Beach PLLC, encourages private companies and not-for-profit organizations to expand upon their governance and ethics programs as a means of building equity in their brands, and thus, value in their organizations.

"Corporate governance is the combination of procedures, policies, customs, and goals which guide the way an organization operates," said Sleight, who co-leads the Harris Beach Government Compliance & Investigations Team. "Typically, the board of directors leads this oversight on behalf of management, shareholders, customers, and other constituents."

For privately-held companies, Sleight said: "It has been shown that companies with good governance and procedures have increased accessibility to favorable financing arrangements and are more attractive targets in acquisition settings. Good governance can help protect the integrity of the company and its brand, reduce risk for management and directors, establish an ethical atmosphere to ensure consistent ethical behavior throughout the company, and mitigate liability exposure for officers and board members."

For not-for-profit organizations, Sleight said: "In recent years, numerous organizations have put their private donations, corporate funding, and tax-exempt status at risk due to a crisis caused by the improper actions of an employee or director. Good governance protects a not-for-profit organization's integrity and brand, builds trust with donors and the public, reduces risk for management and directors, and limits liability exposure."

Sleight advises businesses and not-for-profit organizations on matters related to corporate compliance and government investigations, and federal and state regulatory actions. His background includes serving as Deputy Inspector General with the Office of the State Inspector General and as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General.

Founded in 1856 in Rochester, Harris Beach is one of the country's Top 250 law firms as ranked by the National Law Journal and has offices throughout New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Geneseo, Ithaca, New York City, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers, as well as Newark, New Jersey. The firm's approximate 200 lawyers throughout New York state provide a full range of services for its clients, which include Fortune 500 corporations, privately-held companies, emerging technology businesses, financial institutions, health care providers, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations and foundations, state and local governments and authorities, and individuals.

Source: Business Wire

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