Professional Licensure Defense
State licensing bodies can take very severe action against a professional’s license, including:
- Public reprimand
- License suspension
- Permanent revocation
In addition, professionals can be fined, restricted in their types of allowed practice, required to undergo additional supervision and required to take additional coursework. Common allegations include complaints about a professional’s competence, ethics, substance abuse, fitness to practice, and boundary violations, and sometimes they relate to criminal allegations against the professional.
The Dangers Of Preparing Your Own Defense
Many licensed professionals make the mistake of going it alone, feeling the embarrassment of the allegations, fearing the high cost of legal representation or thinking that the claims are frivolous, so they can take care of it themselves. This can be a hazardous decision, since professional sanctions can result in the loss of your career, reputation in the community and livelihood built over many years of great effort, diligence and education.
Licensing board investigations can move rapidly and require quick and thoughtful responses, which are difficult to provide if you are facing the understandable stress of the situation. If you are the subject of an inquiry — you may have already received a notice of investigation — or if your case is already in the prosecution stage, you may have noticed by now that you are essentially alone against a well-funded organization, panel or board which may play the roles of prosecutor, judge and jury. More than that, they are often completely in control of the process since in many circumstances the administrative law judge’s “order” is merely a ” proposed order” and can be rejected by the licensing board. When sanctions are imposed, you are stuck with them unless you seek relief in the Oregon Court of Appeals — a drawn-out and complicated process.
In order to defend yourself and protect your career and reputation, you should consider obtaining legal advice from someone with experience at all stages of the process. Procrastination is only likely to make matters worse.
Professional Licensure Protection | Strong, Timely Legal Representation
At the Portland law office of Steven J. Sherlag, P.C., I advise and represent professionals in licensure defense cases. In my over 20 years of legal experience, I am known as a tough, shrewd litigator and a strong advocate in both civil and criminal matters. I can help you if you are facing a critical challenge to your license as:
- An attorney
- A psychologist, social worker, counselor or other mental health practitioner
- A nurse, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant
- A physician, an anesthesiologist or other health care provider
- An acupuncturist or a massage therapist
If you are concerned about your license, it is essential to protecting yourself as early as possible, preferably during the investigation phase. Early intervention can make an enormous difference. I can defend you if you are also facing related criminal charges.