The American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) sets forth high expectations for land professionals. From rigorous ethical and performance standards, the AAPL created its guidelines to advise landmen in all professional situations, all fifteen of which are summarized here.
1. Knowledge
Professional landmen are required to remain knowledgeable about the latest laws, legislation and policies that affect their industry in order to properly advise clients and employers.
2. Protect Against Fraud
Landmen take an oath to protect against fraud, unethical practices and misrepresentation in all interactions. This standard is intended to protect the public, as well as the industry as a whole, from fraud.
3. Loyalty
When hired, landmen pledge to protect the interest of their employers or clients while maintaining their commitment to treat all parties fairly. Professional landmen must act in an ethical manner at all times.
4. Honesty
Landmen are not allowed to accept compensation from more than one party for one service –unless all parties are aware.
5. Fairness
According to the fifth standard of practice, landmen cannot deny equal professional service to any party on the basis of race, creed, sex or country of origin. Furthermore, landmen cannot participate in any plans to discriminate against a party based on any of these factors.
6. Professional
Landmen are required to accurately represent their competence in an industry. Like all professionals, landmen cannot claim expertise in an area for which he or she lacks proper training and certification.
7. Conflict of Interest
Professional landmen are not permitted to participate in a transaction if there is a personal interest in the property – unless the interest is disclosed to all parties involved.
8. Disclosure of Interest
For professional landmen, acquiring interest in a property must commence with full disclosure to his or her principal, client and employer of the interest. Additionally, if a land professional plans to sell or lease a property, the potential buyer must be informed of the interest.
9. Reporting
Should a land professional get charged with unethical practice or have knowledge of unethical conduct performed by another member, he or she is required to provide all facts to an authority of the AAPL.
10. Compensation
Professional landmen are not permitted to accept compensation in the form of a rebate, commission, interest or royalty without the express consent of his or her employer or client.
11. Accountability
Landmen are required to treat all funds in his or her possession, such as escrows, advances or fees, with a high level of honesty and accountability.
12. Business
Landmen must refrain from conducting business that conflicts with the business interests of an employer or client.
13. Ethical Advertising
Landmen must always provide accurate representations in advertisements and in disclosures to the public.
14. Professional Integrity
To preserve the integrity of honest land professionals and prevent fraudulent behavior, landmen are not permitted to aid others in falsely portraying an industry association. For example, landmen must help prevent unqualified individuals from claiming they are certified or registered as professionals.
15. Abiding the Law
To maintain professionalism, landmen must not participate in activities that could be prosecuted in a court of law as a felony, fraud offense or other serious crime.
