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Lawyers.com > Understand Your Legal Issue > Reporting a Lawyer for Ethics Violations
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Reporting a Lawyer for Ethics Violations |
Sherrie Bennett
Lawyers are bound by a code of ethics that governs their professional conduct. While the majority of lawyers adhere to these standards, most states have appointed a Disciplinary Counsel to investigate and act on violations when they occur.
Typically, Disciplinary Counsel only investigate grievances that are brought to their attention via a complaint. Complaints may concern ethical violations that clients feel the lawyer has committed. Other practicing lawyers can also file complaints. Common consumer complaints include:
- Failure of the lawyer to communicate with the client
- Lawyer neglects to return the client's documents
- Failure of the lawyer to safeguard client property
- Conflict of interest
- Misrepresentation
- Funds missing/fee disputes
- Non-professional conduct in handling of cases
Filing a Complaint
If a problem occurs with a lawyer, the client must file a complaint to the counsel in the state in which the lawyer is licensed. Generally, the process for filing a complaint involves either filling out a form provided by the Bar Association in the particular state, or writing a detailed letter. The detailed letter should contain the lawyer's name, address, phone number, the circumstances under which the lawyer was hired and a description of the problem. Some states request additional documentation to be filed with the complaint.
In some states, a complaint may be filed by calling a hotline.
Complaint Review and Resolution
In most cases, a board of lawyers and non-lawyers reviews the complaint. If there might be some ethical violation, the lawyer in question is usually provided with a copy of the complaint and given 10-25 days (depending on the state), to respond to the complaint. In some states, clients are given a chance to comment on their lawyer's response and to request that an investigation be opened. The case will either be dismissed if no evidence of a violation is found, or it will remain open. If the violation is found to be minor, a phone call or letter to the lawyer can readily resolve the issue. A hearing will be set up if the violation(s) are of a serious nature, based on the review of the board.
Confidentiality
Most information is kept confidential until it's released to the lawyer in question. Some states don't allow anonymous cases because documentation is vital to the investigation. Disciplinary counsel needs the signature of the person filing the complaint on the complaint form or letter in case there is a need to testify in court. Some states allow anonymous complaints if the issues affect the general public, or if the board itself is able to bring the issue against the lawyer without further evidence from a client. If the state does allow anonymous complaints, a request for anonymity must be included in a detailed letter, on the form in which the complaint is filed or during the phone call.
For More Information
Below is a listing of Disciplinary Counsel organized by state.
Alabama
J. Anthony McLain
Alabama State Bar
Phone: (334) 269-1515
Center for Professional Responsibility
415 Dexter Avenue
P.O. Box 671
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone:(334) 269-1515
Fax: (334) 261-6311
Filing Method: Access online form, call for form or submit detailed letter
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Public Information
Alaska
Stephen J. Van Goor
Alaska Bar Association
510 L Street, Suite 602
P.O. Box 100279
Anchorage, AK 99510-0279
Phone:(907) 272-7469
Fax:(907) 272-2392
Filing Method: Access online form, call for form or submit detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Consumer Information
Arizona
Robert B. Van Wyck
State Bar of Arizona
4201 N. 24th Street, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: (602) 252-4804
Fax: (602) 271-4930
Filing Method: Online form or submit detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Consumer Information
Arkansas
Stark Ligon
Supreme Court of Arkansas
Committee on Professional Conduct
Justice Building
625 Marshall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 376-0313
Fax: (501)376-3438
Toll Free: 1-800-506-6631
Filing Method: Access online form or call for form
Anonymity: No
Website: Public Information
California
Scott J. Drexel
State Bar of California
Office of the Chief Trial Counsel
1149 S. Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: (213) 765-1468
Fax: (213) 765-1029
Filing Method: Access online form, submit a detailed letter to State Bar or call 1-800-843-9053 in California
Anonymity: Not guaranteed
Website: Public Services
Francis P. Bassios
San Francisco Office
180 Howard Street, 6th Floor
Phone: (415) 538-2063
Fax: (415) 538-2214
Filing Method: Access online form, submit a detailed letter to State Bar or call 800-843-9053 in California
Anonymity: Not guaranteed
Colorado
John S. Gleason
Colorado Supreme Court
Office of the Disciplinary Counsel
Denver Post Building
1560 Broadway, Suite 1800
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 866-6400 or toll free (877) 888-1370
Fax: (303) 893-5302
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter or call 877-888-1370
Anonymity: No
Website: Attorney Regulation Counsel
Connecticut
Mark A. Dubois
Statewide Grievance Committee
287 Main Street, Suite 2, Second Floor
East Hartford, CT 06118-1885
Phone: (860) 706-5055
Fax: (860) 706-5063
Filing Method: Use online form, call for form or obtain form from the Superior Court Clerks office
Anonymity: No
Website: Complaint Information
Delaware
Andrea L. Rocanelli
Delaware office of Disciplinary Counsel
820 N. French Street, 11th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801-3545
Phone: (302) 577-7042
Fax: (302) 577-7048
Filing Method: Access online form or call for form
Anonymity: No
Website: Complaint Information
Florida
Kenneth L. Marvin
The Florida Bar
651 E. Jefferson Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300
Phone: (850) 561-5600
Fax: (850)561-5827
Toll Free: 866/352-0707
Filing Method: Access online form located in Publick Information area or call for form
Anonymity: No
Website: Public Information link in the left tool bar
Georgia
William P. Smith, III
State Bar of Georgia
104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 527-8700
Fax: (404) 527-8717
Filing Method: Contact the Consumer Assistance Program
Phone: (404) 527-8759, or toll free at (800) 334-6865 ext. 759
Anonymity: No
Website: Public Information
Hawaii
Carole R. Richelieu
Supreme Court of Hawaii
Office of Disciplinary Counsel
1164 Bishop Street, Suite 600
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 521-4591
Fax: (808) 545-2719
Filing Method: N/A
Anonymity: N/A
Hawaii Supreme Court
Idaho
Brad Andrews
Idaho State Bar
P.O. Box 895
Boise, Idaho 83701
The Law Center
525 West Jefferson Street
Boise, ID 83701-0895
Phone: (208) 334-4500
Fax: (208) 334-4515
Filing Method: Use Online form or request a copy by mail.
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Public Information
Illinois
(Chicago & Northern Illinois)
Jerome E. Larkin
Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
One Prudential Plaza, Suites 1100 and 1500
130 East Randolph Drive
Chicago, IL 60601-6219
Phone: (312) 565-2600
Fax: (312) 565-2320
Filing Method: Use Online formSubmit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Request for Investigation
(Central & Southern Illinois)
Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
One Old North Capital Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, IL 62701-1625
Phone: N/A
Fax: N/A
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Indiana
Donald R. Lundberg
Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission
30 South Meridian Street, Suite 850
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-1807
Fax: (317) 233-0261
Filing Method: Use Online form or call for form
Anonymity: No
Website: Public Information
Iowa
Charles W. Harrington
Iowa State Bar Association
Committee on Professional Ethics and Conduct
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-8019
Fax: (515) 725-8013
Filing Method: Use Online form or call for form
Anonymity: No
Website: Attorney Discipline Information
Kansas
Stanton A. Hazlett
Disciplinary Administrator
Supreme Court of Kansas
701 SW Jackson, 1st Floor
Topeka, KS 66603-3729
Phone: (785) 296-2486
Fax: (785) 296-6049
Filing Method: Use online form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Attorney Discipline
Kentucky
Linda A. Gosnell
Chief Bar Counsel
Kentucky Bar Association
Kentucky Bar Center
514 West Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601-1883
Phone: (502) 564-3795
Fax: (502) 564-3225
Filing Method: Access online form,or submit a detailed, notarized letter
Anonymity: N/A
Website: Consumer Assistance
Louisiana
Charles B. Plattsmier
Louisiana State Bar Association
Office of the Disciplinary Counsel
4000 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 607
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Phone: (504) 293-3900
Fax: (504) 293-3300
Filing Method: Access Online form, request a form by phone or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: How to File a Complaint
Maine
J. Scott Davis
Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar
97 Winthrop Street Augusta, ME 04332
Phone: (207) 623-1121
Fax: (207) 623-4175
Filing Method: Access online form or call for form
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Maine board of Overseers of the Bar
Maryland
Melvin Hirshman
Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland
100 Community Place, Suite 3301
Crownsville, MD 21032-2027
Phone: (410) 514-7051
Fax: (410) 987-4690
Filing Method: Access Online form or submit a detailed, notarized letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Attorney Grievance Commission
Massachusetts
Constance V. Vecchione
Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers
Office of the Bar Counsel
99 High Street
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 728-8750
Fax: (617) 357-1872
Filing Method: Request a complaint form from Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Board of Bar Overseers
Michigan
Robert L. Agacinski
Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission
Marquette Building, Suite 256
243 West Congress
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 961-6585
Fax: (313) 961-5819
Filing Method: Access online form, call for form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Attorney Grievance Commission
Minnesota
Martin A. Cole
Director
Minnesota Office of Professional Responsibility
1500 Landmark Towers
345 St. Peter Street
St. Paul, MN 55102-1218
Phone: (651) 296-3952; out-of-state (800) 657-3601
Fax: (651) 297-5801
Filing Method: Access online form
Anonymity: No
Website: Filing a Complaint Against a Lawyer
Mississippi
Adam Kilgore
Mississippi State Bar
643 North State Street
P.O. Box 2168
Jackson, MS 39225-2168
Phone: (601) 948-4471
Fax: (601) 355-8635
Filing Method: Call, write or email gwaddle@msbar.org for a form
Anonymity: N/A
Website: Complaint Procedure
Missouri
Alan D. Pratzel
Missouri Supreme Court
Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel
3335 America Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 635-7400
Fax: (314) 635-2240
Filing Method: Acess online form, or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: Yes
Website: How to File a Complaint
Montana
Shaun R. Thompson
State Bar of Montana
P.O. Box 1099
Helena, MT 59624-1099
Phone: (406) 442-1648
Fax: (406) 442-2685
Toll free: (877) 442-1648
Filing Method: Access online form, call for form & information packet
Anonymity: No
Website: Office of Disciplinary Counsel
Nebraska
Dennis G. Carlson
Nebraska State Bar Association
3808 Normal Blvd.
Lincoln, NE 68506
Phone: (402) 471-1040
Fax: (402) 475-7098
Filing Method: Online instructions for submitting a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Professional Ethics for Lawyers Counsel For Discipline
Nevada
Rob Bare
State Bar of Nevada
600 E Charleston Blvd.,
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Phone: (702) 382-2200
Toll Free: (800) 254-2797
Fax: (702) 382-8747
Filing Method: Access online instructions for submitting a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: State Bar Ethics Discussion
New Hampshire
Landya B. McCafferty
The Supreme Court Attorney Discipline Office
4 Chenell Drive, Suite 102
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 224-5828
Fax: (603) 224-5828
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Attorney Discipline System
New Jersey
David E. Johnson Jr.
Supreme Court of New Jersey
Office of Attorney Ethics
Post Office Box 963
840 Bear Tavern Road
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: (609) 530-4008
Fax: (609) 530-5238
Filing Method: Access online form or request a form by phone (800)-406-8594
Anonymity: No
Website: Office of Attorney Ethics
New Mexico
Virginia L. Ferrara
Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of New Mexico
400 Gold Avenue SW, Suite 800
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone:(505) 842-5781
Fax: (505) 766-6833
Filing Method: Access online form, or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: N/A
Website: The Disciplinary Board
New York
Website: New York Attorney Grievance Committees Complaints About Attorneys
New York City-1st Dept. Manhattan & Bronx
Alan W. Friedberg
Departmental Disciplinary Committee for the First Department
61 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10006
Phone: (212) 401-0800
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: N/A
New York City-2nd Dept.
Diana Maxfield Kearse
Second Judicial Department
2nd & 11th Judicial District Grievance Committees
Renaissance Plaza
335 Adams Street, Suite 2400
Brooklyn, NY 11201-3745
Phone: (718) 923-6300
Fax: (718) 543-9828
Filing Method: Call for form
Anonymity: No
New York State-2nd Dept.
Gary L. Casella
Second Judicial Department
9th Judicial District Grievance Committee
Crosswest Office Center, Suite 200
399 Knollwood Road, Suite 200
White Plains, NY 10603
Phone: (914) 949-4540
Fax: (914) 949-0997
Filing Method: Call for form
Anonymity: No
New York State - 2nd Dept.Nassau & Suffolk Counties
Rita E. Adler
Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District
150 Motor Parkway, Suite 102
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Phone: (631) 231-3775
Fax: (631) 231-4041
Filing Method: Call for form
Anonymity: No
New York State-3rd Dept. 28 Counties in New York State
Mark S. Ochs
Chief Attorney Third Judicial Department
Committee on Professional Standards
40 Steuben Street, Suite 502
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 285-8350
Fax: (518) 474-0389
Filing Method: Call for form
Anonymity: No
New York State-4th Dept. 5th District Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties
Gregory J. Huether
Chief Counsel
Fourth Judicial Department
5th District Grievance Committee
Syracuse Square
224 Harrison Street, Suite 408
Syracuse, NY 13202-3066
Phone: (315) 471-1835
Fax: (315) 479-0123
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
New York State-4th Dept. 7th District Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates Counties
Gregory J. Huether, Chief Counsel
Fourth Judicial Department
7th District Grievance Committee
50 East Avenue, Suite 404
Rochester, NY 14604-2206
Phone: (585) 530-3180
Fax: Fax: (585) 530-3191
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
New York State-4th Dept. 8th District Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties
Gerard M. LaRusso, Chief Counsel
Gregory J. Huether , Principal Counsel
Fourth Judicial Department
8th District Grievance Committee
438 Main Street, Suite 800
Buffalo, NY 14202-3212
Phone: (716) 845-3630
Fax: (716) 856-2701
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
North Carolina
Katherine Jean
Office of Counsel
North Carolina State Bar
208 Fayetteville St. Mall
P.O. Box 25908
Raleigh, NC 27611
Phone: (919) 828-4620
Fax: (919) 821-9168
Filing Method: Access online form, call for form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Information for the Public
North Dakota
Paul W. Jacobson
Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of North Dakota
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 180
Bismarck, ND ND 58505-0530
Phone: (701) 328-3925
Fax: (701) 328-3964
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Complaints Against Lawyers
Ohio
Jonathan E. Coughlan
Office of the Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court of Ohio
250 Civic Center Drive, Ste. 325
Columbus, OH 43215-7411
Phone: (614) 461-0256
Fax: (614) 461-7205
Toll Free: (800) 589-5256
Filing Method: Call for form
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Grievances Against Lawyers and Judges
In Akron - Summit County only
Susan Lengal
Akron Bar Association
57 S. Broadway St.
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 253-5007; (330) 253-5687
Fax: (330) 253-2140
Filing Method: Call for form
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Akron Bar Association
In Cincinnati - Hamilton County
Edwin W. Patterson III
Cincinnati Bar Association
225 East Sixth Street, Second Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 381-8213
Fax: (513) 381-0528
Filing Method: Access online form or call for form
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Cincinnate Bar Association
In Cleveland - Cuyahoga County
K. Ann Zimmerman
Cleveland Bar Association
113 St. Clair Avenue, NE, 2nd Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114-1253
Phone: (216) 696-3525
Fax: (216) 696-2413
Filing Method: Access online form or call for a form
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Information for the Public
In Columbus - Franklin County
Bruce A. Campbell
Columbus Bar Association
175. S. Third Street
Columbus, OH 43215-5193
Phone: (614) 221-0754
Fax: (614) 221-4850
Filing Method: Access online form or call for a form
Anonymity: Yes
Website: People's Bar
In Dayton - Montgomery County
Chris Albrektson
Dayton Bar Association
109 N. Main St., Ste. 600
Dayton, OH 45402-1129
Phone: (513) 222-7902
Fax: (513) 222-1308
Filing Method: Call for form
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Public Services
In Toledo - Lucas County
Jonathan B. Cherry, Esq.
The Toledo Bar Association
311 N. Superior Street
Toledo, OH 43604
Phone: (419) 242-9363
Fax: (419) 242-3614
Filing Method: Access online form or call for form
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Public Resources
Oklahoma
Dan Murdock
Oklahoma State Bar Association
1901 North Lincoln Boulevard
P.O. Box 53036
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
Phone: (405) 416-7007
Fax: (405) 416-7003
Filing Method: Access online form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Public Information
Oregon
Jeffery D. Sapiro
Oregon State Bar
P.O. Box 1689
5200 SW Meadows Road
Lake Oswego, OR 97035-0889
Phone: (503) 620-0222
Fax: (503) 684-1366
Filing Method: Access online form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Public Information
Pennsylvania
Paul J. Killion, Chief Disciplinary Counsel
Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
200 N. 3d St., Suite 1400
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 783-0990
Fax: (717) 783-4963
Filing Method: Access online form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No, unless counsel finds good cause to withhold complainant's identity
Website: Public Information
Rhode Island
David D. Curtin
Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Fogarty Judicial Annex
24 Weybosset Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 222-3270
Fax: (401) 222-1191
Filing Method: Access online form, call for form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Disciplinary Board
South Carolina
Lesley M. Coggiola
South Carolina Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline
Post Office Box 12159
Columbia, SC 29211
Phone: (803) 734-2038
Fax: N/A
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Disciplinary Counsel
South Dakota
Lawrence J. Zastrow
State Bar of South Dakota
222 E. Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 224-7554
Fax: (605) 224-0282
Filing Method: Submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Information for the Public
Tennessee
Nancy S. Jones
Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee
The Oaks Tower, Suite 730
1101 Kermit Drive
Nashville, TN 37217
Phone: (615) 361-7500
Fax: (615) 367-2480
Filing Method: Access online form, call for form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Information for Consumers
Texas
John Neal
State Bar of Texas
P.O. Box 12487
Austin, TX 78711-2487
Phone: (800) 204-2222 or (512) 463-1463
Fax: (512) 477-4607
Filing Method: Access online form, call for form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Information for the public
Utah
Billy L. Walker
Acting Chief Disciplinary Counsel
Utah State Bar
645 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: (801) 531-9110
Fax: (801) 531-9912
Filing Method: Access online form or call the Consumer Assistance Hotline: (801) 531-9077
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Public Services
Vermont
Michael Kennedy
Vermont Professional Conduct Board
Office of Bar Counsel
Professional Responsibility Board
c/o Costello Courthouse
32 Cherry Street, Suite 213
Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 859-3000
Fax: (802) 859-3003
Filing Method: Access online brochure
Anonymity: Yes
Virginia
George W. Chabalewski
Virginia State Bar
Eighth and Main Building
707 East Main Street, Suite 1500
Richmond, VA 23219-2803
Phone: (804) 775-0500
Fax: (804) 775-0501
Filing Method: Access online form, call for form or submit detailed letter
Anonymity: Yes
Website: How to File a Misconduct Inquiry About a Lawyer
Washington
Douglas J. Ende
Chief Disciplinary Counsel
Washington State Bar Association
2101 Fourth Avenue - Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98121-2330
Phone: (206) 727-8207
Fax: (206) 727-8325
Filing Method: Access online form or call for form
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Ethics Page for the Public
West Virginia
Rachael L. Fletcher Cipoletti
Chief Disciplinary Counsel
Office of Disciplinary Counsel
2006 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25311-2204
Phone: (304) 558-7999
FAX:(304)558-4015
Filing Method: Access online form or call for form
Anonymity: No
Website: Public Information
Wisconsin
Keith L. Sellen
Director, Office of Lawyer Regulation
Suite 315, Tenny Building
110 East Main Street
Madison, WI 53703-3383
Phone: (608) 267-7274
Toll-free (877) 315-6941
Fax: (608) 267-1959
Filing Method: Access online form, call for a form, over the phone or by written submission
Anonymity: Yes
Website: Lawyer Regulation
Wyoming
Rebecca A. Lewis, Bar Counsel
Wyoming State Bar
P.O. Box 109
500 Randall Ave
Cheyenne, WY 82003-0109
Phone: (307) 632-9061
Fax: (307) 632-3737
Filing Method: Access online form or submit a detailed letter
Anonymity: No
Website: Lawyer Complaints
District of Columbia
Wallace E. Shipp, Jr.
District Columbia Board on Professional Responsibility
515 5th Street, NW, Building A, Suite 117
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 638-1501
Fax: (202) 638-0862
Filing Method: Access Public Information
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