A single complaint filed through a licensing board has the potential to jeopardize your reputation and your career. Investigations by a licensing authority can lead to serious consequences, including the suspension or revocation of your license. If you are facing a review, you can rely on the legal services of a Charlotte professional license defense lawyer who can represent you at hearings and fight to keep your license in good standing.
At North State Law, we understand that even a single complaint can jeopardize years of professional work. Founded in 2019, our firm was established with a single goal in mind: to defend the licenses and certifications of hardworking professionals across North Carolina, including doctors, nurses, attorneys, engineers, and general contractors in Charlotte.
Our attorneys bring decades of combined legal experience to every case, and the work we do is often recognized by respected peer-reviewed organizations such as Super Lawyers. We understand both the stress of facing an investigation and the importance of protecting your reputation and career. Trust North State Law to provide skilled representation before licensing boards and agencies when your livelihood is at risk.
Charlotte’s workforce relies on licensed professionals, including healthcare providers, attorneys, general contractors, and engineers. Accusations of unprofessional behavior can result in a Notice of Complaint being issued by a licensing board. Review boards investigate allegations of misconduct, negligence, or ethics violations, and the consequences may determine whether a professional can continue to practice.
Nurses are one such group that often faces scrutiny. There are approximately 24,630 registered nurses employed in the Charlotte area. The North Carolina Board of Nursing manages a workforce of 188,370 licensed nurses.
North Carolina also has over 32,500 licensed attorneys who can face disbarment, with many practicing in Charlotte neighborhoods such as Myers Park, South End, and Ballantyne.
The license investigation process begins when someone makes a formal complaint to a licensing board. The board then reviews the accusation to see if it warrants an investigation. If the board decides to investigate the claim, the person who is accused of misconduct or unprofessional behavior is notified via a Notice of Complaint.
Respondents can reply to the complaint and hire an attorney. The respondent may be asked to provide further statements or even to complete an informal interview. If the board finds enough evidence to support an administrative hearing, the respondent is notified and given time to prepare for an appearance. After both sides present evidence and supporting arguments, the board decides whether to dismiss the complaint or discipline the respondent.
The decision to hire a professional license defense lawyer can be one of the most important steps you can take when your livelihood is at risk. A Charlotte professional license defense attorney understands North Carolina’s complex professional defense laws, which vary among licensing boards.
By allowing your attorney to handle your professional license defense case, you can ensure that important deadlines won’t be missed and your arguments address the accusations. An attorney can draft your reply to your Notice of Complaint, represent you at your hearing, and present evidence to refute the accusation and support your account of events.
A: Investigations usually begin after a formal complaint is filed by a client, patient, employer, or colleague. Boards can also act on reports from law enforcement, government agencies, or the results of routine audits. Even anonymous complaints may be enough to trigger a review. Filing a complaint does not automatically lead to an investigation.
The licensing board first reviews the complaint and considers the credibility of the accusations before proceeding or taking no further action.
A: Licensing board members typically send a written Notice of Complaint or similar document explaining the allegations. While not always comprehensive, the notices typically contain enough information to inform the respondent about the basic details of the complaint. The notice may request a written response within a set timeframe. Details about hearing dates are also typically included.
A: Yes, during an investigation, the respondent is typically afforded multiple opportunities to provide statements and evidence to support their case. Early on, a respondent can reply to a Notice of Complaint by making early arguments in their defense. While this does not generally halt the investigation process, it can significantly impact the eventual outcome of a review, especially when the response is drafted by an experienced license defense attorney.
A: Yes, boards often consider prior disciplinary history when deciding on new cases. Even if past issues were resolved, they may influence the severity of any sanctions in a current investigation. Anyone facing potential disciplinary action by a licensing board can rely on the legal support of an attorney who is familiar with the state’s various administrative processes.
A: Any defense strategy that refutes the accusation, demonstrates that there is insufficient evidence to back the claim, or presents mitigating evidence that supports the respondent’s actions can be used to defend the respondent. Defenses can include calling witnesses, challenging the credibility of complaints, or negotiating a settlement with the board.
Don’t let a Notice of Complaint escalate to a review board finding that jeopardizes your livelihood and harms your reputation. With representation from North State Law, you can fight the accusations with our legal support.
We are familiar with the state’s administrative laws and know how to effectively represent clients in hearings, with a focus on protecting their rights and interests. If you are facing disciplinary action, now is the time. Contact our team today.
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