Every business is bound to have dissatisfied customers from time-to-time. Those who provide professional services, such as attorneys, are no different. Not everything is going to go the way that you and your clients hope, which can lead to conflict and allegations of wrongdoing. These matters need to be taken seriously, too, because if they aren’t, then they can threaten your license and your ability to earn a living. For this reasons, if you’re an attorney who is facing disciplinary action, then you need to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to protect yourself.
What to expect from a complaint filed against you
All attorney discipline cases start with a complaint that is lodged with the Alaska Bar Association. From there, staff members at the Bar will analyze the complaint to see whether the allegations, if true, would meet the legal threshold to justify discipline. If the Bar chooses to proceed with the grievance, then you’ll be notified and given an opportunity to respond. You don’t have to respond, though, so think carefully before trying to justify your actions.
From there, the complaint filed against you may be dismissed, you might receive a private admonishment, or you might have a disciplinary case filed against you. It’s in the latter instance that you need to make sure that you’re aggressively defending yourself. You need to know how to vet the complaint lodged against you and build a compelling case to avoid or minimize the discipline that you’re facing. This means gathering and presenting both witness accounts and pertinent documentary evidence.
Have the experience you need on your side
You’ve worked hard to obtain your law degree, but a complaint can threaten you with a reprimand that damages your reputation, suspension that jeopardizes your livelihood, or disbarment that bans you from the profession. With so much on the line, you owe it to yourself to be represented by a legal team that is well-versed in these matters. That’s why many attorneys who have been accused of misconduct have turned to us for help.