If you feel that your lawyer has acted unethically or has failed to provide you with adequate legal representation, you may decide to file a bar complaint against them. The bar association is responsible for regulating and disciplining lawyers in each state, and a bar complaint is a formal request for the association to investigate a lawyer’s conduct.
Find out what steps you need to take if you’re considering filing a bar complaint against your lawyer, and what to expect throughout the process.
In this blog post, we will discuss what happens when you file a bar complaint against your lawyer, including the investigation process and potential outcomes.
Step 1: Filing the Complaint The first step in filing a bar complaint against your lawyer is to contact the bar association in your state and request the necessary forms. You will need to provide specific details about your complaint, including the name of the lawyer, the nature of the misconduct, and any evidence that supports your claim.
Step 2: Investigation Once the bar association receives your complaint, they will review it to determine if it falls within their jurisdiction. If they determine that your complaint does fall within their purview, they will initiate an investigation into the lawyer’s conduct.
The investigation process may involve gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. The lawyer in question will also be given an opportunity to respond to the complaint and provide their own evidence and witness statements.
Step 3: Potential Outcomes After the investigation is complete, the bar association will determine whether the lawyer in question has violated any rules or regulations. If they find that the lawyer has engaged in unethical or improper behavior, they may impose disciplinary action, which can range from a warning to disbarment.
If the bar association finds that the lawyer has not engaged in any misconduct, they will close the case and notify both you and the lawyer.
Conclusion Filing a bar complaint against your lawyer can be a complex and emotional process. It is important to remember that the bar association is committed to protecting the public and upholding the integrity of the legal profession. If you believe that your lawyer has acted unethically or has failed to provide adequate representation, filing a bar complaint may be the first step in seeking justice.