A licensure investigation is a critical moment in any professional’s career. One wrong step could result in serious sanctions, including a suspension or even outright revocation of your license. That will mean a loss of income and professional reputation. Professionals need an experienced attorney to represent them from the moment they first learn that the Board has received a complaint or opened an investigation. Call Remington & Dixon, PLLC today to discuss a professional license investigation in NC. A Charlotte professional license defense lawyer can meet for a private consultation. If retained, we will begin developing a defense strategy to protect your reputation and license.
How a Professional License Investigation in NC Gets Started
Licensing Boards initiate investigations when they receive complaints, typically from current or former clients. For example, a former client might complain to the State Bar association if they believe a lawyer overcharged them or failed to keep information confidential.
In other situations, the Board becomes aware of a potential violation on their own. For example, you could be arrested for a crime, which makes the evening news or is published in the newspaper. On their own, the Board initiates professional licensing Boards reviews.
The Board usually sends a letter to the license holder laying out some preliminary information about the complaint and notifying you of the charges. You might be invited to write a response, or the Board tries to set up an interview with an investigator. The Board can request documents in your possession, such as client files or billing records.
You might feel like you’ve been hit by a truck. It’s important to slow down and take a deep breath before doing anything.
Why The Investigation is Important
Many professionals panic, which is understandable. The Board can request access to client files and other information as part of its investigation. If they find the complaint has merit, then the Board can suspend or revoke your license. Even a public reprimand might be embarrassing and possibly result in job loss.
Anyone under investigation must proceed carefully. Hire a lawyer to discuss how to respond.
These investigations can turn into fishing expeditions if you are not careful. The investigation is not limited to the complaint at issue. While combing through your emails, files, and other documents, the investigators might uncover other violations, which lead to more complaints. The entire situation snowballs.
It is important to disclose information requested but not too much. This is where a lawyer is an invaluable asset. We can make sure you respond to document requests without divulging unnecessary or possibly embarrassing information.
Many professionals face the possibility of civil litigation based on the complaint. For example, a client could sue a doctor, nurse, or lawyer for malpractice. A real estate agent might be sued for misrepresentation or fraud. The possibility of civil litigation is another reason to be careful about what information you disclose to the Board, since it could all become public.
Your First Steps When You Learn About the Investigation
Here are the most critical important steps:
- Contact an experienced professional license defense lawyer for a consultation.
- Avoid turning over documents or communications without first showing them to an attorney. You might need to redact information pertaining to other clients first. It’s best to find this out now, before you inadvertently turn something over.
- Do not speak to an investigator without a lawyer. You need to prepare for any interview.
- Do not destroy documents or delete electronic information, no matter how embarrassing. Those steps can also result in professional discipline or worse.
The Board may ask for a written response to the complaint. A lawyer can review it to see that your response is on point. Also, you need to support your argument with documented facts, which we can help gather.
Many complaints come from clients you haven’t spoken to in years. You might not remember the details, but it’s important to get facts right when responding to a complaint. A poorly drafted response, replete with errors, only casts doubt on your honesty.
Too many professionals draft a quick response, hoping the issue will go away. Or they talk with an investigator, convinced the allegations have no merit. But the investigator might not see the issue the way you do.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Professional License Investigation in North Carolina?
A lawyer can review documents before turning them over to the Board and prepare a professional for an interview with investigators. You need a lawyer even if the allegations are frivolous.
Call to Speak with a Lawyer in Our Office
Remington & Dixon, PLLC, has developed deep experience with professional license investigations. Our firm can immediately swing into action and review the allegations against you before crafting a defense. Contact our law firm to schedule a consultation as soon as you learn about the investigation. We can review all documents before turning them over and represent you before the Board. Our consultations for professionals facing an investigation are free. We serve those in the 28207 zip code, as well as surrounding communities including Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union County, as well as across the entire state of North Carolina.
