It’s the letter no licensed professional wants to receive: a notice from your licensing board informing you that someone has filed a formal complaint against you.
All allegations of professional malfeasance need to be taken seriously. Consult with an experienced professional license defense attorney as soon as you are notified of a pending complaint. You do not have to face the board alone.
4 Reasons to Hire A Professional License Defense Attorney
- Your licensing board is not looking out for your best interests.
All Texas licensing boards function to serve the public. Your licensing board is not on your side, is not looking out for you. Once a complaint has been filed against you, your licensing board is investigating you―they are not trying to defend you or protect you. That is not their job. It is up to you to take the necessary steps to defend yourself against allegations of professional misconduct or other malfeasance, which includes hiring an experienced professional license defense attorney you trust.
- To protect your license and livelihood.
Even a single complaint filed against you with the licensing board can put you at risk of license suspension or revocation. A license suspension lasts for a defined amount of time. A license revocation may be indefinite. If your license is suspended or revoked, then you will not be authorized to perform your job.
- Defend yourself from the start of the board’s investigation.
Mounting a strong defense from the beginning, with you initial response to the board’s notice of complaint, helps ensure you will be able to achieve the most favorable outcome possible in your case.
Do not wait until a formal hearing has been schedule with the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearing (SOAH) before hiring an attorney. You want to get in front of the investigation and be pro-active throughout the process to defend yourself at every opportunity. Moreover, appealing an unfavorable ruling is far more difficult and can be costlier than properly defending allegations in the first place.
- Have an advocate by your side.
Your professional license defense attorney will help you through all aspects of the board’s case against you. Representation from an attorney well-versed in administrative law and experienced with licensing board matters is invaluable. Some of the things your attorney will do for you include:
Protect your rights. When you’re represented the board will not be in a position to take advantage of you.
- Help guide you through the board’s investigation process.
- Craft well-planned initial responses to the allegations pending against you.
- Design a legal defense strategy specific to the facts of your case and your personal goals.
- When appropriate, negotiate the terms of informal resolution to settle the case prior to formal hearing.
- Represent you at all legal proceedings, including before the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), in the event that your case proceeds to formal hearing.
- Explain the penalties and sanctions the board could impose and what disciplinary action the board is likely to pursue based on the facts of your case.
Your professional license defense attorney can help alleviate some of the stress from facing a board complaint and investigation. You do not have to face complaint allegations or the board alone.
Hire the Professional License Defense Attorneys at BERTOLINO LLP.
If your professional license is at risk of suspension or revocation, BERTOLINO LLP can help. We represent licensed professionals across the entire State of Texas. Our honest, experienced attorneys will fight aggressively on behalf of your license and reputation. Contact us today or call (512) 887-7305 and schedule a case evaluation.
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