Credentials at a Glance

Experience: 20+ years of professional license defense and civil malpractice litigation defense

Role: Managing Partner & Founder, Bertolino LLP

Admissions: U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 10 federal courts total

Education: J.D., South Texas College of Law (Law Review Assistant Editor; Langdell Scholarship); M.P.A., St. Mary’s University (Valedictorian)

Ratings & Recognition: AV Preeminent® (Martindale-Hubbell); Avvo Client’s Choice Award (2025); Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers (2011–2013); Bertolino LLP (A+ BBB Rating)

Unlike firms that divide their practice among multiple areas of law, Mr. Bertolino has devoted his career to defending licensed professionals and businesses facing regulatory action. He regularly defends physicians, nurses, educators, real estate professionals, attorneys, and other license holders in matters before state licensing boards and civil courts.

As Managing Partner & Founder of Bertolino LLP, he leads a team built entirely around that focus. His practice runs through every stage a licensing case can reach, from the first board inquiry through formal hearings and regulatory litigation before state and federal courts.

Bertolino LLP was founded in 2003 with a single focus: professional license defense. In the years since, his practice has taken him before the Texas Medical Board, the Texas Board of Nursing, the Texas Real Estate Commission, and dozens of other licensing agencies and civil courts across the state.

Practice Areas & Expertise

Mr. Bertolino’s practice centers on professional license defense at every stage of the regulatory process, from the moment an investigation opens through formal proceedings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings and regulatory litigation at the state and federal levels.

His representative areas of practice include:

He has represented professionals from a wide range of licensed occupations, including:

Physicians and other medical providers
Nurses and allied health professionals
Pharmacists and dental professionals
Educators and school administrators
Attorneys and other licensed legal professionals
CPAs and financial professionals
Real estate agents and brokers
Insurance professionals
Skilled tradespeople and vocational license holders

That range of experience gives him a practical understanding of how Texas licensing boards evaluate professional conduct and disciplinary issues. Each response reflects the board involved, the record under review, and the client’s long-term career goals.

Mr. Bertolino’s practice also addresses government regulatory work and federal licensing disputes. When a case involves a federal court proceeding or criminal matter, his admission to the U.S. Supreme Court and all four federal district courts in Texas means the firm can respond at every level.

Bar Admissions

Mr. Bertolino is admitted to practice law in Texas, New York, and the following federal courts:

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Those admissions support his ability to represent clients when licensing and regulatory issues move beyond the administrative setting and into federal district court, bankruptcy court, the Fifth Circuit, or the U.S. Supreme Court.

Education

Mr. Bertolino earned his law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, where he received the Christopher Langdell Academic Scholarship and served as a member and Assistant Editor of the South Texas Law Review.

He also holds a Master of Public Administration from St. Mary’s University, where he graduated as valedictorian, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Speech Communication, both from St. Mary’s.

Publications & Educational Resources

Mr. Bertolino is the author of When Your License Is Under Attack: A Survival Guide for Texas Professionals, an Amazon #1 Bestseller created for Texas professionals who need practical guidance when a licensing investigation places their career under review.

Speaking Engagements & Media

His Know Your Regulator podcast appearances reflect the same issues he handles for licensed professionals across Texas. He has discussed board complaints, investigation notices, disciplinary proceedings, and the decisions physicians, nurses, educators, and other professionals face when a licensing matter begins.

Mr. Bertolino is also a frequent speaker at conferences, seminars, and continuing education programs such as the Texas Medical Association, Texas Hospital Associations, Texas Counseling Associations, social work organizations, nursing associations, Texas Bar CLE programs, and Texas Real Estate Associations, where he presents on professional licensing, administrative law, regulatory enforcement, and ethics.

Awards & Recognition

Mr. Bertolino has received professional recognition throughout his career in Texas license defense. His honors reflect the work he has done for physicians, nurses, educators, attorneys, real estate professionals, and other license holders whose careers depend on a strong defense.

His awards and ratings include:

AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell: Peer-assessed for legal knowledge, experience, and ethical conduct
Martindale-Hubbell® Client Reviewed Award (2025)
Avvo Client’s Choice Award (2025): 4.5/5 average client rating
Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers (2011–2013): Awarded to the top 2.5% of emerging Texas attorneys
Bertolino LLP: A+ Better Business Bureau rating

These recognitions reflect his longstanding commitment to professional license defense and client service.

Community & Pro Bono

Mr. Bertolino has handled pro bono cases through Legal Services of South Texas and Texas Rural Legal Aid. That work gave him the chance to assist Texans with civil legal problems and stay connected to legal service outside his day-to-day professional license defense practice.

Protect Your License

Mr. Bertolino has spent more than two decades watching what happens when a board file is handled well from the start and when it isn’t. That experience drives how his team approaches every case, with the same attention to the record whether the matter resolves early or runs through a formal hearing.

Bertolino LLP has represented thousands of Texas professionals before the state’s most active licensing boards. To schedule a complimentary consultation, reach out to our Client Success Liaison today.