If you have an architectural license and have received a complaint, a notice of investigation or are facing legal proceedings, you’ll likely do everything you can to protect your license and career. At Bertolino, LLP, we understand how stressful it can be when your ability to practice is in jeopardy.
That’s why our Texas architectural license defense lawyers are here to guide you through the legal process and build a strong case for you. With over 15 years of experience defending professional licenses, you can trust our defense lawyers to provide effective representation and do what needs to be done to protect your architectural license from scrutiny.
How an Architectural License Lawyer Can Defend You From Scrutiny
When you work with an experienced license defense lawyer from our law firm, they’ll take a number of steps to protect your license, livelihood and reputation from disciplinary action. Here’s what the team at Bertolino, LLP, can do to assist you:
Respond to the Initial Complaint
If you’ve received notice from the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) that a complaint has been filed against you, you’ll need to act quickly to protect yourself. According to Texas Administrative Code Rule §1.171, you have 30 days to respond to the complaint notice. Failing to respond to a complaint alone can serve as an independent basis for taking discipline against your license.
That means if you fail to respond within this timeframe you could face disciplinary action such as suspension or revocation of your license. To avoid these sorts of consequences, you’ll want to enlist the services of a knowledgeable defense attorney who can manage the complaint process and fight to protect your livelihood.
In your response, you’ll likely have to include any information and materials that the board has requested. You’ll also have to provide a written statement that speaks to your side of the story and defends against the misconduct you’ve been accused of.
While it’s important to respond to the complaint as soon as possible, you should not do it by yourself. You should work with a knowledgeable license defense attorney to make sure your written statement doesn’t include language that could be used against you or interpreted as an omission of guilt. A skilled lawyer can ensure your response includes the right information and is worded correctly to advocate on your behalf.
Assist You During Settlement Negotiations
Suppose the TBAE finds that you’ve broken a rule that it enforces. In that case, you may have the option to enter into informal settlement negotiations between yourself and TBAE. Our architectural license defense attorneys have a great deal of experience assisting with informal negotiations.
Our team can represent you during the negotiation process and fight for a fair result. If an agreement is reached between you and a panel of Board members, then the next step is approval by the full Board. Once approved, the order will go into effect. If the entire TBAE rejects the agreement, you can renegotiate, or your case may move to formal legal proceedings.
Represent You at a Formal Hearing
If an agreed resolution cannot be reached during negotiations, the TBAE will send your case to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). Then, the SOAH will give your case to an administrative law judge who will hold a hearing and propose a final decision for your case after listening to both sides’ arguments, evidence and witness testimony under oath.
Our attorneys have represented countless clients like yourself during formal hearings at SOAH. We know how these legal proceedings work and can navigate them with your best interests in mind. No matter how serious your case is, we’ll work tirelessly to help you avoid serious consequences and advocate aggressively on your behalf.
Consequences an Architectural License Defense Lawyer Can Protect You From
Depending on the severity of your offense, you could be facing a range of consequences, such as a warning, an administrative penalty, remedial education or even a serious outcome like a license revocation. Fortunately, our architectural license defense lawyers can draw on their experience and legal skills to protect you from a life-changing outcome.
Here are some of the consequences our team can work hard to help you avoid:
- Administrative penalties ranging from $1,000 to $5,000
- License suspension
- License revocation
If you’ve been accused of multiple violations, you could face several administrative penalties. These penalties can add up quickly, leaving you with a significant financial burden. The good news is that our team can fight relentlessly to help you avoid a financially devastating result.
Our Team Can Get the Results You’re Looking For
If your license is under scrutiny, contact a defense lawyer who can assist you in crafting an effective complaint response, represent you during legal proceedings, and get the results you’re looking for. Our team is closely familiar with these processes, as we’ve represented many individuals in your position and obtained impressive results.
When you review the case results we’ve achieved in the past, you’ll see that our Texas architectural license defense lawyers are the right choice for your case.
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Schedule a Free Consultation With Bertolino LLP
If you’ve received a complaint or are facing disciplinary action for a professional violation, you’ll want to take the matter seriously. The outcome of your case could significantly impact your career and livelihood, so it’s important to work with a highly skilled legal team.
At Bertolino, LLP, we’ve taken on many license defense cases and can take a number of measures to safeguard your license. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how a license defense lawyer can assist you when your architectural license is under scrutiny.
Call or text (512) 476-5757 or complete a Case Evaluation form
