1990–1999

1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990

The following constitute all published opinions of the NSPE Board of Ethical Review. Opinions issued by the NSPE Board of Ethical review prior to 1980 are provided solely for historic purposes and may no longer be valid because of changes to the NSPE Code of Ethics as well as legal and regulatory requirements. Many of these cases can be purchased in bound copies through the online catalog >>

Note: BER cases are in PDF and require free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.

NSPE BER Cases from 1999

Case 99-1: Conflict Of Interest—Soliciting Former Clients Through An Employee
Case 99-2: Conflict Of Interest—Failure To Disclose Other Business Interest
Case 99-3: Employment—Failure To Disclose Details Of Outside Business
Case 99-4: Providing Design To Client's Competitor
Case 99-5: Employment Practices—Soliciting Competitor's Employees
Case 99-6: Employee's Failure To Inform Employer Of New Employment With Empoyer's Vendor
Case 99-7: Disclosure—Advising Client To Exercise Judgment When Disclosing Information To Engineer
Case 99-8: Incomplete Plans And Specifications—Engineer, Government, And Contractor Responsibilities
Case 99-9: Conflict Of Interest Specifying Equipment—With Ownership Interest
Case 99-10: Reviewing And Redesigning The Work Of Another Engineer
Case 99-11: Use Of Alleged Hazardous Material In A Processing Facility
Case 99-12: Licensure Reference
Case 99-13: Copyright—Duty To Report Violation Of Copyright Licensing Agreement

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NSPE BER Cases from 1998

Case 98-1: Serving As Design Engineer And General Contractor
Case 98-2: Gifts To Foreign Officials—Application Of Code Of Ethics To Non-U.S. Engineers
Case 98-3: Use Of CD-ROM For Highway Design
Case 98-4: Expert Witness Testimony—Serving Plaintiffs And Defendants
Case 98-5: Public Health And Safety—Code Enforcement
Case 98-6: Use Of Slogans In Political Campaigns, Etc.
Case 98-7: Expert Witness Services
Case 98-8: Competence To Certify Arms Storage Rooms
Case 98-9: Duty To Report Unsafe Conditions/ Client Request For Secrecy
Case 98-11: Conflict Of Interest Specifying Equipment Of Company Owned By Engineer

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NSPE BER Cases from 1997

Case 97-1: Responsible Charge—Working Part-Time For Firm
Case 97-2: Former Employer Establishing A New Firm—Soliciting Former Clients After A Period Of Time Has Elapsed
Case 97-3: Conflict Of Interest—Obligations Of Engineer On A Defaulted Project
Case 97-4: Conflict of Interest—Public Advisory Board
Case 97-5: Signing A Confidentiality Agreement—Duty To Disclose Danger To The Public Health
Case 97-6: Use Of Title "Engineer"—Refusing To Sign/Seal Documents
Case 97-7: Signing/Sealing Documents Following Company Reorganization
Case 97-8: Misrepresentation—Retired P.E. Using P.E. Designation
Case 97-9: Restrictive Employment Agreement—Crossing Out References
Case 97-10: Payment Of Referral Fee For Being Selected By Engineer
Case 97-11: Duty To Disclose Disciplinary Complaint To Client
Case 97-12: Copyright—Duty To Report Violation Of Copyright Licensing Agreement
Case 97-13: Duty To Report Unrelated Information Observed During Rendering Of Services

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NSPE BER Cases from 1996

Case 96-1: Misrepresentation Of A Business Relationship
Case 96-3: Refusing To Sign/Seal Construction Documents
Case 96-4: Software Design Testing
Case 96-5: Gifts To Foreign Officials
Case 96-6: Use Of Guide Specification As A Design Specification
Case 96-7: Conflict Of Interest Returning Retainer Prior To Accepting Another Assignment
Case 96-8: Peer Review—Confidentiality Agreements
Case 96-9: Reference To "Member" Of Professional Society
Case 96-10: Comments By One Engineer Concerning Another
Case 96-11: Advertising—Promotional Reference To Work And Clients Of Previous Employers
Case 96-12: Use Of Specific Indemnification Clause For Hazardous Waste Services

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NSPE BER Cases from 1995

Case 95-1: Design/Build—Possible Compromise Of Professional Judgment
Case 95-2: Engineering Research—Client Changes To Report
Case 95-3: Promotional Efforts—Providing Referral Fees To A Contracto
Case 95-4: Conflict-Of-Interest—Disclosure To A Client A Relationship With Another Client
Case 95-5: Failure To Include Information In Engineering Report
Case 95-6: Conflict-Of-Interest—Engineering Services By Trustee Of College
Case 95-7: Authorship Of Article—Misleading Reference
Case 95-8: Employment Practices--Use of Misleading Advertisement In Connection With an Affirmative Action Procedure
Case 95-9: Conflict-Of-Interests—Services To A Village
Case 95-10: Engineering Titles—Use Of Engineering Title By Nonengineers
Case 95-11: Receipt Of Rebate Check From A Vendor

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NSPE BER Cases from 1994

Case 94-1: Conflict Of Interest—Engineer Retained By State
Case 94-2: Professional Service Contact Negotiations
Case 94-3: Conflict Of Interest Engineering Consultant Serving As Equipment Manufacturing Sales Representative
Case 94-4: Testimony Re: Safety Standards
Case 94-5: Conflict Of Interest Providing Both City Engineer And Inspection Services
Case 94-6: Signing & Sealing Another Engineer's Plan
Case 94-7: Disclosure Of Client Information To Insurance Company
Case 94-8: Competence To Perform Foundation Design
Case 94-9: Conflict Of Interest—Accident Reconstruction Services
Case 94-10: Conflict Of Interest—Registration—Not Licensed In State
Case 94-11: Conflict Of Interest Disclosure & Participation As Government Official On Work Related To Former Firm
Case 94-12: P.E. Requirement For State Agency Position

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NSPE BER Cases from 1993

Case 93-1: Copycat
Case 93-2: Registration—Implying Registration In Another State
Case 93-3: Appropriate Notification And Review Of Another Engineer's Work
Case 93-4: Engineer's Duty As Interpreter Of Contract Documents
Case 93-5: Contingency Fees—Directing Services Re: Litigation
Case 93-6: Conflict Of Interest—Providing Views On Feasibility Of Project
Case 93-7: Agreement Not To Disclose Data, Findings, Conclusions
Case 93-8: Use Of Broad Indemnification Clause For Pollution Services
Case 93-9: Providing Litigation Support Services To Attorney

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NSPE BER Cases from 1992

Case 92-1: Credit For Engineering Work—Design Competition
Case 92-2: Advertising—Misstating Credentials
Case 92-3: Brokerage Of Engineering Services—Building Inspection Services
Case 92-4: Public Welfare—Duty Of Government Engineer
Case 92-5: Conflict Of Interest—Community Service
Case 92-6: Public Welfare—Hazardous Waste
Case 92-7: Credit For Engineering Work—Research Data
Case 92-8: Attempt To Influence Prospective City/Client During Relocation Negotiations
Case 92-9: Use Of Disadvantaged Firm After Learning Of Impropriety

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NSPE BER Cases from 1991

Case 91-1: Employment—Withdrawal Of Offer
Case 91-2: Contingent Contract—Errors & Omissions
Case 91-3: Engineer Employee's Refusal To Provide Report
Case 91-4: Marketing Survey By Engineering Firm
Case 91-5: Engineering Student Serving As Consultant To University
Case 91-6: Conflict Of Interest—Hazardous Waste Services
Case 91-7: Indemnification—Product Specification
Case 91-8: Certification Of Work Performed By Technician
Case 91-9: Misrepresentation Of Education

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NSPE BER Cases from 1990

Case 90-1: Expropriation Of Money By State Society Treasurer
Case 90-2: Expert Witness—Accusation Of Unprofessional Conduct
Case 90-3: Expert Testimony In State Where Not Registered
Case 90-4: Misrepresentation Of Firm's Staff
Case 90-5: Failure To Report Information Affecting Public Safety
Case 90-6: Use Of Cadd System
Case 90-7: Conflict Of Interest—Furnishing Limited Advice

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