Professional Discipline & Licensing

Professional discipline is the ability to hold professionals accountable for ethical violations or malpractice in dealing with clients and the public. In addition to an economic burden, claims of professional discipline can impose a threat to a professional’s reputation, licensure, or brand. Professional discipline can affect educators, lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers, insurance brokers, and a wide range of professionals.

Why are professionals subject to disciplinary claims?

Professionals earn their living performing activities that require a certain level of education, training, or skill. They must demonstrate a required standard of competency, knowledge, or education and adhere to codes of conduct and ethical standards. They must also adhere to standards for practice in their fields. Professionals are subject to higher standards because of their specialized knowledge in a particular field. As such, they are expected to make appropriate, reasonably necessary disclosures to protect their clients from harm.

What are the laws governing professional discipline?

Different jurisdictions have different rules and laws governing professional discipline. Each profession has its own ethics and responsibility requirements. Licensing authorities for different professions may issue their own sets of rules and standards. For example, in North Carolina, our professional discipline and licensing lawyers may represent clients in front of any of the following boards or commissions:

North Carolina State Bar
North Carolina Medical Board
North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors
North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners
Private Protective Services Board

North Carolina Board of Architecture
North Carolina Real Estate Commission
North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors
Other North Carolina licensing boards

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What types of professional disciplinary matters do we handle?

Our firm has represented lawyers and judges in matters before the North Carolina State Bar. We have represented educators in school board proceedings. We advise and represent other individuals in matters related to licensing, discipline, and professional responsibility, such as doctors and real estate brokers Our seasoned trial lawyers can also vigorously defend clients against a wide range of professional discipline claims, including breach of contract, malpractice, and errors and omissions.

Why are professional discipline claims becoming more common?

In today’s volatile business environment, we have increased regulatory scrutiny of lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects, and other professionals. The current need to exercise greater judgment and make more independent decisions increase disciplinary concerns for professionals. Regulators and courts are becoming increasingly willing to impose expanded duties, and with that comes expanded liability.

Why you need a professional discipline lawyer

An attack on your reputation can impact you professionally. If you are facing claims of professional disciplinary action before a licensing board, you need skillful representation and zealous advocacy to restore your good name. We can represent you in disciplinary actions and in lawsuits. We can also provide preventative and advisory counseling to help prevent disputes. When contacted at the first sign of trouble, we can often help resolve disputes in a manner that is minimally disruptive to your business and your life.

Why choose Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, PLLC?

We are proud of our zealous approach to advocacy and litigation. Our legal team has an unparalleled combination of skills and experience in a wide range of practice areas. Lawyers with our firm are recognized in peer-reviewed surveys as elite litigators in their respective fields.