Chicago — Jones Lang LaSalle announced its participation as the only real estate sector firm included in the inaugural class of the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), an initiative dedicated to fostering higher standards of corporate ethical responsibility and accountability. The companies that have joined BELA have publicly pledged to stand behind BELA’s declaration of ethical business principles in key areas including compliance, transparency, conflict identification and accountability.

BELA was developed by The Ethisphere Institute, a think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability. Earlier this year, the Ethisphere Institute named Jones Lang LaSalle to its second annual list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. BELA’s inaugural class is comprised of 17 companies representing nearly $1 trillion in global commerce, including: Accenture, Avaya, CACI International, Crawford & Company, Dell, Dun & Bradstreet, Ecolab, Fluor, General Electric Company, The Hartford, Jones Lang LaSalle, NYK Line, PepsiCo, Sempra Energy, Southern Co., United Airlines and Wal-Mart.

"Today, there is a fundamental distrust in how corporations do business," said Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute and founder of BELA. "The failings of a visible few are manifested in record low consumer confidence numbers, rapidly declining market values and paralysis of our financial system. Against this backdrop, BELA’s goal is simple: to establish a benchmark and framework for ethical behavior in the corporate world. Company management sets the ethical tone, culture and internal transparency for its organization and employees. By joining BELA, these companies are demonstrating a commitment from the top to support accountable and responsible management practices. We couldn’t ask for a better and stronger list of charter BELA members and we respect each of these organizations for actively promoting an ethical environment that will permeate the entire company."

"As a world-wide financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate, Jones Lang LaSalle is committed to conducting itself with the highest ethical standards," said Colin Dyer, chief executive officer, Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. "Joining the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance is one of the ways we can demonstrate that commitment to our clients, shareholders and employees and also to influence the dialogue about how best to promote increasingly higher levels of integrity within the global business community overall, which ultimately benefits everyone."

At its essence, BELA proactively empowers businesses to be de facto leaders in self-regulating against corporate fraud, corruption and greed. The four core values for BELA members are:

• Legal Compliance " Following both the letter and spirit of the law to counter fraud, corruption, bribery and deceit
• Transparency " Setting the cultural tone from the top by encouraging dialogue on ethical issues and disclosing information in a full, accurate and timely manner
• Conflict Identification " Actively identifying and addressing potential conflicts of interest and appearances of impropriety
• Accountability " Emphasizing quality, customer protection, environmental sustainability and integrity in the supply chain

"The risks and challenges in corporate ethics and compliance have never been greater," said Paul McNulty, partner with Baker & McKenzie and a former deputy attorney general of the United States. "Government enforcement has increased dramatically just as more and more companies are expanding their enterprise across the globe. Compliance programs and procedures are certainly necessary, but even more critical is the need for corporate leaders committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. The formation of the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance is the right move at a historic time in the business world, and I commend Ethisphere and BELA's charter members for once again exhibiting extraordinary leadership."

"In today’s complex operating environment, one of the fundamental building blocks of a sustainable enterprise is an unshakable commitment to responsibility and accountability," said Larry D. Thompson, senior vice president and general counsel of PepsiCo and a former deputy attorney general of the United States. "BELA will play a vital role in establishing clear ethical standards that promote those principles across the business community."

To further BELA’s efforts and ensure that its member companies receive the support needed to uphold their commitment, Ethisphere has also announced that Suzanne Hawkins will serve as the executive director of BELA. In addition to consulting for several blue chip companies on an independent basis, Hawkins will draw on her experience as senior counsel, legal operations at General Electric Company and as a director on the Board of the Association of Corporate Counsel to guide BELA and its members.

"We’re delighted that Suzanne has joined us in undertaking this important endeavor," said Brigham. "With more than 20 years of experience working for multinational corporations and law firms in process improvement, litigation management, technology, compliance and other law department issues, Suzanne has established herself as an industry thought leader and expert."

For more information, visit www.ethisphere.org/bela and www.joneslanglasalle.com.