Experienced California Professional License Defense Attorneys
When the stakes are at their highest, so is our commitment to you. A California professional license defense lawyer is an invaluable asset if your professional career is on the line for any reason. You have worked hard to secure your position, and if you are faced with the possibility of losing your livelihood, you need legal representation you can trust to defend you against oversight boards, regulatory agencies, and the legal system.
A threat to your professional license can ruin your career, your finances, your reputation, and your life. We understand the commitment, time, money and grit it takes to become a professional licensee and we are dedicated to defending professionals who are in danger of losing their licenses and representing those who seek to be licensed in California.
We Defend Professional Licensees Throughout California
Century Law Group has extensive experience representing professionals who need help defending their professional licenses. Even if you know you have done nothing wrong, your situation can feel desperate, and it may even seem as though your professional licensing board is unfairly targeting you. It is also possible that you have been falsely accused of some type of professional misconduct, and you are unsure how to defend yourself.
If your professional license is at risk in a hearing with your professional licensing board, here are some facts you need to know.
We represent more professionals before their licensing boards than any law firm in California. We take our clients’ livelihoods seriously. Our experienced lawyers understand that the outcomes of disciplinary actions affect not only your immediate circumstances, but also career opportunities and finances, going forward. Schedule a free consultation with one of our licensing attorneys at your convenience today.
Century Law Group specializes in defending licensees and in representing those seeking licenses before all courts in the State of California. When you are faced with such a dire situation, it is imperative to seek legal representation from an attorney with proven experience resolving cases like yours. We have a strong record of successful professional license defense throughout California that proves our commitment to our clients.
Our Firm has extensive experience in defending licensees against Accusations. Upon receiving an Accusation or Statement of Issues, a Notice of Defense must be promptly filed in response to the Accusation or Statement of Issues to preserve the right to a hearing. If you’re an applicant that has been denied, or are a licensee who has received an Accusation, contact us immediately to strategize your options. At Century Law Group, we understand that your license is your livelihood.
Is Your Professional License in California at Risk?
It is possible for a professional license holder of any kind to face an unexpected situation in which their career is at risk, but they have little idea of how they can defend themselves. For example, if a doctor or surgeon is accused of medical malpractice, this means that a patient has alleged that their negligence caused an injury. The medical professional could not only face liability for the patient’s damages but also professional discipline from their medical board.
This is just one example of the scenarios that many professional license holders in California face. It is possible for a professional license to be at risk due to an accusation of some type of professional misconduct, failure to meet a specific duty to their client, patient, or the public, or in response to an illegal action outside of their work, such as intoxicated driving, domestic violence, or financial crime.
The steps you will need to take to respond to any type of professional licensing board inquiry can easily feel overwhelming at first. You have a limited time to respond to inquiries from your licensing board, and your responses need to be carefully crafted. Without legal counsel advising you, it is possible to unintentionally give the board the exact information they need in order to enact the disciplinary actions they intend for your case.
Do not assume that you will be able to defend yourself effectively on your own. If your licensing board has initiated any type of disciplinary action against you, they have likely compiled a strong case and will seek to stick to internal procedures as closely as possible, meaning you face strict deadlines for responding to inquiries and attending hearings. You need to consult a California professional license defense lawyer right away in this situation.
Benefits of Hiring Experienced Defense Counsel
The team at Century Law Group will carefully review the details of your situation and examine your professional licensing board’s processes. We will help you prepare for the upcoming proceedings and determine the optimal way to defend yourself. It is common for our clients to initially overlook their most effective defenses due to the pressure these situations cause, and we strive to provide clarity and support for all professional license defense cases.
If you have concerns about the cost of hiring a California professional license defense lawyer, it is vital to recognize your choice to hire legal counsel as a solid investment into your own future. The effects of your current situation may negatively impact your life in many ways. The loss of your career will be a dramatic blow to your livelihood and greatly affect your standard of living. It can also prevent you from pursuing alternative lines of work in the future.
Century Law Group will create an effective strategy aimed at preserving your license and overcoming the proceedings ahead of you as efficiently as possible. We have years of experience handling these cases and many successes behind us, meaning we have a vast wealth of experience that we will leverage in managing your case. We are also familiar with the various unique challenges that different licensing boards may present.
Ultimately, the greatest benefit of hiring a California professional license defense lawyer is the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have an experienced and dedicated legal advocate on your side, ready to provide responsive support and guidance through each stage of your case. Century Law Group will work closely with you immediately after you secure our firm’s representation so you can have peace of mind when it comes to the proceedings ahead of you.
The Licensed Professionals we represent throughout California
We represent those seeking licenses and licensees facing discipline from these California Administrative licensing boards:
- Acupuncture Board
- Board of Behavioral Sciences
- Board of Chiropractic Examiners
- Board of Pharmacy
- Board of Psychology
- Board of Registered Nursing
- Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians
- Dental Board
- Department of Insurance
- Department of Real Estate
- Department of Social Services
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- Medical Board
- Physical Therapy Board
- Podiatric Medical Board
- Respiratory Care Board
- Security Clearance
Every professional licensing board in California has unique processes for handling disciplinary action, and the time frame in which you must prepare your defense is likely to be quite short. You need to connect with a California professional license defense lawyer right away. The team at Century Law Group can help you understand what to expect in the proceedings ahead and uncover all of the most effective defenses we can prepare.
Representing Clients In A Broad Spectrum Of Cases
We excel at providing proactive, aggressive representation for your right to earn a living. Let us assist you with the following matters, among others:
- License applications. Professional legal assistance can be invaluable during the professional license application process. Our team can assist you with gathering all of the materials you will need to submit to the licensing board, and you will be well prepared to address any controversies that might arise during the license approval process.
- Allegations of drug or alcohol use. Many people struggle with substance abuse, and countless professional license holders in California face very demanding, high-stress jobs that take a heavy toll. If you have struggled with substance abuse, our team can assist you in preparing a defense that may help you keep your professional license. We can also help you dispel false allegations of substance abuse that put your license in jeopardy.
- Last-minute representation in licensing cases. We have the experience and resources necessary to respond swiftly and fluently to any legal issues you encounter with a professional licensing case. As soon as you secure our team’s representation, we will immediately begin working on your case so you can approach this situation with confidence.
- Petitions for reinstatement of professional licenses. If you have lost a professional license in California, most of the licensing boards in the state provide a pathway to reinstatement if you meet the eligibility requirements. We can prepare your petition and help you build the strongest possible case to present to the applicable licensing board.
- Appeals of license denials and revocations. If a professional licensing board in California has denied your application for a license, or if the board has revoked your license, you can trust our team to help you file an appeal against any such decision. We have extensive experience guiding clients through many processes with all the professional licensing boards in California and can help you prepare a compelling appeal.
- Security clearance issues. Many professional license holders in California must qualify for specific security clearances, and it is possible for unpredictable issues to arise with a security clearance application. If you encounter any such issue, we can help you determine whether it is the result of a clerical or filing error or prepare your defense if you are determined to be ineligible for the security clearance you need.
- Responding to investigation letters and accusations. A professional license holder may be served with an investigation letter alleging impropriety or professional misconduct, or they may be accused of some type of wrongdoing and have no idea how to defend themselves. We can help you respond to any such issue you face, assisting you in formulating an effective defense and responding appropriately.
- Representation at administrative hearings. Facing your professional licensing board in any type of administrative hearing can be incredibly daunting, especially if the outcome of the hearing will have any meaningful bearing on the status of your professional license. We can assist you with preparations for any type of hearing with any of the professional licensing boards in California.
- Legal advice and counsel on compliance matters. Regulatory compliance is crucial for most professional license holders. If you have been accused of violating industry regulations in any way and your professional license is at risk, we can provide counsel and support to help you resolve compliance matters efficiently and protect your career.
When you need skilled counsel on matters of professional licensure admission or license reinstatement, professional liability, professional malpractice defense and defense against allegations of professional misconduct or gross negligence, come to Century Law Group, LLP.
The Value Of Seeking Counsel
We know that the prosecutor/investigator has told you that you do not need counsel. This is simply untrue, and they may be fishing for an easy avenue to have your professional license suspended or revoked. Regardless of their motivation behind such a statement, you absolutely have the right to defend yourself with respect to your professional license by hiring a California professional license defense lawyer.
What don’t they want you to know?
- That an attorney knows how to craft a settlement by which you may not have to admit to any wrongdoing. Some professional licensing investigators use intimidation tactics in their efforts to make their cases against license holders. The case against you may be far weaker than it initially appears, and your attorney can advise you as to what you should and should not say in your efforts to maintain your license.
- That an attorney can prevent a settlement that may help their efforts at being promoted (and is unfair to you). Century Law Group is committed to fighting for our clients’ rights and will do everything we can to help you preserve your license. When you have been presented with an unfair and one-sided settlement of any kind, we can highlight the problems with the settlement and assist you in reaching a fairer outcome.
- That an attorney has a team of psychologists who know how to put you in the best light in order to increase the chances of a good resolution. Our firm works with various experts who can provide invaluable support in any type of professional license defense case.
- That an attorney knows how to call their bluff with respect to the charging of investigative/prosecutorial costs. Many times, we have saved clients an amount of costs exceeding the client’s fees to us. Do not fall prey to intimidation tactics like these. Investing in legal counsel you can trust for professional license defense can pay off tremendously in many ways.
Century Law Group will work closely with you to determine your optimal strategy for handling the situation ahead of you. We also have the experience necessary to know the unique issues that the various professional licensing boards throughout California may present to you. We handle cases involving a wide variety of professional licenses and have represented hundreds of professional licensees in front of their respective licensing boards, including:
- Department of Real Estate (DRE). Our firm has helped many realtors and real estate agents resolve all types of professional licensing issues. The DRE follows strict procedures for addressing license holder malfeasance and professional misconduct, and we can help you formulate a strategy aimed at preserving your license.
- Department of Insurance (DOI). We have represented insurance agents, brokers, claim adjusters, and many other DOI license holders throughout California. Many insurance license cases arise from claims of misleading policies, accusations of bad faith, or criminal acts outside of work. Whatever your case entails, we can help you make the strongest possible case for retaining your DOI professional license.
- Healthcare including: Medical Board, Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Acupuncture Board, Board of Pharmacy, CA Board of Psychology. Medical professionals licensed in California face extraordinary challenges and are often unfairly accused of malpractice. We can help you defend against any such accusation and assist you in navigating the complex proceedings your professional licensing board presents.
- State Bar. Century Law Group has successfully defended many attorneys throughout California facing disbarment and other disciplinary action from the California State Bar. Our experience will be invaluable to any client facing such a situation, and we will be able to identify their strongest avenues of defense quickly.
- Security Clearance. If your professional licensing case involves any type of security clearance issue, you can rely on our team to help you determine the cause of the discrepancy in question, whether you are having difficulty obtaining approval for a necessary clearance, or your clearance has been revoked for any reason.
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Financial regulations and professional licensing requirements in the US are notoriously complex and demanding. Our team has helped many financial professionals preserve their careers by preparing them for and guiding them through all types of FINRA disciplinary hearings and investigations.
Over the years, our lawyers have represented hundreds of clients in professional licensure cases before California licensing boards. Our primary goal in these matters is to defend and protect our clients’ licenses. Our experienced professional licensing lawyers can help you obtain your professional license or defend your name and protect you in disciplinary actions.
Acting quickly in solving your licensing issue is imperative to your case and may even need to be done in 15 days or less to satisfy licensing requirements. Century Law Group can provide swift and fluent legal counsel in this time-sensitive situation. To speak to a lawyer at our Firm about a professional licensure case, call us at 866-522-2642 or email us now.
FAQs About California Professional Licensing Defense
What should I do if someone from the licensing agency contacts me?
Do not discuss your incident/matter with anyone. Should anyone attempt to contact you directly, please refer him/her to us. Absolutely no documents regarding your case should be signed without first consulting with us. As soon as you are contacted by a licensing board or agency, reach out to a California professional license defense lawyer at Century Law Group, who can instruct you as to how to respond.
What will my hearing be like?
Your hearing will be very similar to a trial in court, with witnesses, exhibits, and rules of evidence. An Administrative Law Judge will preside; there is no jury in these proceedings. The judge is not employed by the agency bringing this action, but by the Office of Administrative Hearings. A government attorney represents the agency bringing the action. Remember: before the hearing closes, you must submit all the evidence you want the judge to consider.
What can I do to help my case right now?
Someday it may become necessary to obtain the testimony of your friends, neighbors and/or co-workers regarding your matter; for that reason, you should begin to identify witnesses to testify on your behalf. We will instruct you, if applicable, about how to contact witnesses that may not be friendly. Swiftly securing legal counsel is crucial so we can provide the guidance you need to start preparing your defense right away.
When should I get in contact with a lawyer? Why do I need a lawyer?
It’s never too soon to call and ask questions. Do not enter a plea without first obtaining legal advice – even for a minor offense. If you are not represented by someone at your administrative hearing, you may experience considerable (and unnecessary) costs and license discipline. The right attorney may help you develop a more effective defensive strategy than you could have created on your own, and they can also mitigate the negative impact of this case in several ways.
Set Up A Consultation With Our California Professional License Defense Attorneys
If your professional license is at risk in any way, you need to speak with a California professional license defense lawyer as soon as possible. Century Law Group has the experience and resources you need on your side for this difficult case, so it is crucial that you connect with our team right away. To schedule an initial consultation, contact any of our law offices in Los Angeles, San Diego and Northern California.
