Your professional license allows you to work in your desired field, earn a living, and provide for your loved ones. If your license is in jeopardy, you’ll want to work with an experienced attorney from Bertolino LLP to protect yourself from revocation and other penalties.
If you believe you’re at risk of losing your license to practice medicine, hold a teaching position, help people with their housing needs as a real estate agent, or work in another field, you’re probably wondering when you need to hire a professional license defense attorney. The short answer is that it’s always best to play it safe and meet with a Texas professional license defense lawyer.
They’ll be able to determine if you need legal assistance to defend your right to practice. Until then, familiarize yourself with common reasons why individuals like yourself hire license defense attorneys.
Reasons to Hire a Professional License Defense Attorney
There are a number of situations you’ll need the help of an experienced attorney to navigate. It’s strongly recommended that you speak with a professional license defense attorney if you’re experiencing any of the following scenarios:
A Complaint Has Been Filed Against You
If someone has filed a complaint with a regulatory agency or licensing board that alleges you engaged in unethical or unprofessional conduct, you must take it seriously. Failing to respond appropriately could have several negative consequences, even if you believe the claim is unfounded.
You won’t want to respond to the complaint by yourself. You’ll want to hire an experienced professional license defense attorney to craft a measured response on your behalf. They’ll make sure that your response does not contain anything that could hurt your case.
You Are Facing Allegations that You Breached the Standard of Care
A standard of care is a professional obligation that license holders must uphold when practicing in their respective fields. For example, if a doctor fails to treat a patient properly, they may be liable for breaching the standard of care that physicians must uphold.
If another party has alleged that you failed to uphold the standard of care for your profession, you could lose your license or face penalties. To get the legal representation you need to avoid the worst outcomes, you will want to hire an attorney with experience defending professional licenses. They’ll give you the best chance to preserve your license and career.
Your Professional License Application Has Been Denied
If you’ve worked hard to become a physician, work as a teacher, or hold another position that requires a professional license, you’re probably hoping that your license application will get accepted. Unfortunately, some applications are denied, leaving applicants worried about their career paths and futures.
Even if your application was denied for a baseless reason, you must hire an attorney and take the actions required to challenge the decision. Do not delay; time can be limited for you to protect your license and exercise your rights. Waiting too long can result in losing your right to challenge the decision.
A Board Has Refused to Renew Your Professional License
If a board has denied your professional license renewal, you’ll want to hire a license defense attorney to contest the board’s action. An attorney can help you understand why your license renewal was denied and work hard to negotiate more favorable terms for the renewal of your license or fight the matter in court if negotiations do not produce positive results.
Remember, if your license renewal was denied and you don’t currently have a license to practice in your field, do not continue practicing. Practicing without a valid license could result in additional regulatory consequences and even potential criminal liability far worse than a denied license renewal.
You’re Facing a Legal Proceeding
If you’re facing a legal proceeding that may affect your license, you’ll want to find an experienced professional license defense attorney you can trust. A skilled attorney can advocate for why you shouldn’t face license suspension, license revocation, or other disciplinary actions and fight aggressively to protect your interests.
Make sure to speak with a attorney ASAP if one of the following proceedings has been scheduled:
- A complaint has been filed against you
- Your license has been temporarily suspended or you have a temporary suspension hearing upcoming
- You have an Informal Settlement Conference scheduled
- You have a contested case hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
Types of Professional Licenses an Attorney Can Protect
There are a variety of different licenses that allow individuals to practice in their desired professions. If your license is in jeopardy, you’ll want to hire an attorney with experience defending other individuals with the same professional license.
An experienced license defense law firm will have the experience, resources, and legal knowledge to represent you. The following are some of the licenses we defend:
- Real Estate Brokers, Agents and Inspectors
- Real Estate Appraisers
- Certified Public Accountants
- Architects
- Plumbers
- Insurance Agents and Adjusters
- Social Workers
- Professional Engineers
- Licensed Professional Counselors
- Teachers
Meet With an Experienced Professional License Defense Attorney for Free
Now that you know when to hire a professional license defense attorney, it’s time to get the legal assistance you need to protect your right to practice. Contact Bertolino LLP today to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable attorney.
They’ll meet with you to discuss your situation and determine if you need their counsel and representation. If they agree to help you, they’ll work tirelessly to protect your right to work in your chosen career.
Call or text (512) 476-5757 or complete a Case Evaluation form
