CCM Professional Ethics & Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CCM is retained by a law firm to testify as an expert witness but later discovers the opposing counsel is offering significantly higher pay. What is the ethical course of action?
- Switch to the higher-paying side immediately
- Remain with the original client and maintain impartiality in testimony (Correct answer)
- Withdraw from the case and return all fees
- Negotiate a higher rate with the original client before testifying
Correct answer: Remain with the original client and maintain impartiality in testimony
Expert witnesses must remain impartial and loyal to the retaining party; switching sides for higher pay constitutes a serious ethical breach.
Question 2: Under the AMS Code of Professional Ethics, which action best demonstrates 'service to the public interest'?
- Prioritizing client profitability above all other considerations
- Providing accurate, unbiased weather information even when it conflicts with client expectations (Correct answer)
- Avoiding public statements to reduce professional risk
- Charging premium fees for emergency weather advisories
Correct answer: Providing accurate, unbiased weather information even when it conflicts with client expectations
Service to the public interest requires CCMs to provide honest, scientifically sound information regardless of client preferences.
Question 3: A CCM discovers a colleague has submitted a weather analysis report that includes fabricated data. The most appropriate first step is to:
- Report it anonymously to local media
- Confront the colleague privately and urge them to correct the report (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since it is not your report
- Immediately file a complaint with the courts
Correct answer: Confront the colleague privately and urge them to correct the report
The AMS ethics process encourages direct communication with the colleague first before escalating to formal complaints.
Question 4: When a CCM's written contract with a client is silent on ownership of data and reports, who typically retains intellectual property rights to the meteorological analysis?
- The client always owns all work products by default
- The CCM retains rights unless the contract explicitly transfers them (Correct answer)
- The AMS holds copyright over all certified meteorologist work
- Intellectual property in consulting is unenforceable
Correct answer: The CCM retains rights unless the contract explicitly transfers them
In the absence of a work-for-hire clause or IP transfer language, the creator (CCM) typically retains rights under US copyright law.
Question 5: Which of the following represents an improper contingency fee arrangement for a CCM providing expert witness services?
- A flat hourly rate regardless of case outcome
- A fee that increases if the client wins the case (Correct answer)
- A retainer paid at the start of the engagement
- A fixed project fee for a completed report
Correct answer: A fee that increases if the client wins the case
Contingency fees tied to case outcomes compromise expert impartiality and are prohibited under professional ethics standards for expert witnesses.
Question 6: A CCM is asked by a client to provide a forecast that downplays the severity of an approaching severe weather event to avoid disrupting a planned outdoor event. The CCM should:
- Comply since the client has final authority over the forecast
- Issue the forecast as scientifically determined, regardless of client preference (Correct answer)
- Refuse the engagement entirely without explanation
- Provide two forecasts—one accurate and one for the client's use
Correct answer: Issue the forecast as scientifically determined, regardless of client preference
CCMs are obligated to provide scientifically accurate forecasts; deliberately downplaying hazards violates both professional ethics and public safety obligations.
Question 7: The AMS Board on Professional Ethics (BOPE) investigates a complaint against a CCM. During the investigation, the CCM's primary obligation is to:
- Retain legal counsel and refuse to participate
- Cooperate fully and provide truthful information to the BOPE (Correct answer)
- Request that the complainant withdraw before responding
- Submit only information favorable to their position
Correct answer: Cooperate fully and provide truthful information to the BOPE
Professional ethics codes require members under investigation to cooperate honestly with the investigatory body.
CCM Professional Ethics & Compliance 2
A CCM is retained by a law firm to testify as an expert witness but later discovers the opposing counsel is offering significantly higher pay.
What is the ethical course of action?