Your professional license bestows a status that provides several benefits. From access to well-paying jobs to the tangible achievement that a license represents, licensed professionals stand to lose much if they lose their license to work in Illinois.
Even if you aren't currently at risk of losing your license, professional complaints could lead to reprimands, probation, and other sanctions. Any professional sanction could hurt your reputation, harming your earning power as a consequence.
In the most severe cases, professionals in Illinois lose their license (temporarily or permanently) due to unfounded complaints. You may never fully recover, financially and professionally, if you suffer the revocation or suspension of your professional license. The Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm will fight to defend you from these adverse consequences.
Professional License Defense Services for Professionals in Illinois
When you hold a professional license, you don't just have to worry about the public's perception of your business and reputation. You must also consider the institutions with the power to suspend or revoke your license or impose other harmful professional sanctions.
Those accused of financial impropriety, sexual misconduct, endangering others, or other shortcomings could face discipline that affects their license. Do not underestimate the severity of such allegations or assume that the licensing board will rule favorably on your case. Hire a professional licensed defense attorney from the Lento Law Firm team to fight for you, preserve your licensed status, and defend your reputation.
What Is the Disciplinary Process of License-Holding Professionals in Illinois?
We evaluate disciplinary proceedings on a case-by-case basis. The process that a doctor faces is typically not exactly the same as the process that an accountant, engineer, or plumber would face. However, professional licensing disciplinary processes typically involve the following:
Complaint
Before you face potential sanctions, someone must levy a complaint against you. Each professional industry has an institution that receives, processes, and analyzes complaints.
The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is one such institution, as it receives complaints against those in the Banking, Financial, and Real Estate fields, among others. The institution that manages complaints for your industry will determine whether to dismiss the complaint or proceed with an investigation.
Investigation
Regardless of the industry you work in, the licensing body may complete a thorough investigation of the complaint against you. The State of Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board explains that when someone files a complaint against a judge, the investigation includes:
- Requesting a written response to the alleged wrongdoing from the judge accused of misconduct
- Reviewing documents and other evidence relevant to the complaint
- Interviewing the complainant
- Interviewing witnesses
- Gathering any other relevant information
While this process is specific to judges, the investigation of the complaint against you may follow a similar course. If you participate in any interviews or need to issue a written statement, it is wise to have an attorney from our team assist you. Any statements you make could be held against you.
Resolution Negotiations
If the disciplinary body proceeds with charges or sanctions against you, there may be an opportunity to negotiate a resolution. Sometimes known as a Consent Order, the disciplinary board may extend terms that:
- Detail the alleged offense
- Explain its finding that you are responsible for the offense
- Propose sanctions
There may be room to negotiate sanctions. In many cases, a professional accused of wrongdoing will continue fighting for a dismissal of allegations or more favorable sanctions.
Hearing
The format of any license-related hearing will depend on the specific protocols of industry-specific institutions. Generally, though, a licensed hearing will involve the following:
- The presentation of evidence, including both favorable and unfavorable evidence
- The presentation and cross-examination of witnesses
- Arguments and counter-arguments
- Closing arguments
The department leading your hearing will depend on your occupation. For doctors who are subject to complaints in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will likely lead proceedings.
Appeals
Ideally, your case will not require an appeal. Our legal team will work diligently to secure a dismissal of your charges. If you admit to any of the wrongdoing you have been accused of, we may aim to secure the most favorable resolution possible.
Should an appeal prove necessary, your attorney from the Lento Law Firm team will:
- Identify the board to which you must file your appeal
- Draft and file your appeal documents as quickly as possible
- Accompany you in all appeal-related meetings
- Secure and submit all documents related to your appeal
- Making oral and written arguments in front of the appeal board
We never make assumptions about what a professional-client will require of us. Though our attorneys are familiar with professional license defense, every case is unique. Our dynamic, capable legal professionals will be ready for every challenge your case presents us.
Why Professionals Accused of Wrongdoing in Illinois Should Hire an Attorney from the Lento Law Firm Team
Even the most capable professional should consider hiring an attorney from the Lento Law Firm when facing professional sanctions because:
- Professional license defense is what we do: The attorney we assign to your case will be experienced in professional license defense. We are familiar with many of the professional organizations that oversee licensing throughout California. Our preexisting knowledge of licensing procedures could be invaluable to you.
- The potential cost of losing your license is immeasurable: You cannot have enough help when defending your license. Should you fail to mount the strongest possible defense and lose your license, you may also lose your livelihood and reputation.
- Life does not stop when you face a professional allegation of misconduct: Most of our clients have a full slate of responsibilities—and that's before someone lodges a complaint that throws their professional life into disarray. It is best practice to hire an attorney whose sole purpose is defending your good name and license.
In our experience, there are few periods in your life as critical as this one. You've worked hard to get your license and build your career. Don't let an allegation—baseless or not—diminish the professional strides you have made.
Our attorneys and paralegals represent clients facing a wide range of accusations. From sexual misconduct to conflicts of interest and financial improprieties, no professional license issue is beyond our scope.
How Our Legal Team Will Assist with Your Professional License Defense
We lead every professional license defense case we accept. While our attorneys will gladly consider your feedback and requests, you can rely on us to:
- Secure all evidence that could be useful to your defense
- Contact and arrange for witnesses to testify on your behalf
- Prepare you for, and accompany you to all case-related meetings, interviews, and hearings
- Explore potential resolutions with the licensing board and their Office of General Counsel (OGC)
- Take the lead during your hearing
- Manage any necessary appeal
We are a full-service legal team intent on getting the best possible outcome for you.
The Lento Law Firm Serves Every Corner of Illinois, Including These Communities
As one of the ten most populous states in the United States, Illinois is home to innumerable professionals whose careers may be only one false accusation away from implosion. The Lento Law Firm Team has successfully represented clients throughout Illinois, including the communities of:
Chicago
The crown jewel of the Midwest, Chicago remains a critical hub of American industry. White-collar industries like finance, accounting, law, and tech blend seamlessly with equally essential fields like carpentry, electrical, plumbing, construction, and other trades in Chicago.
The large scope of Chicago's professional sectors can make any single individual seem insignificant. By hiring an attorney from the Lento Law Firm Team, you ensure that licensing bodies treat you as the person you are, not a statistic.
Aurora
As one of the largest communities in the Chicago metro area, Aurora boasts a population just shy of 200,000. Aurora boasts several sectors that require a license to work, including aerospace, defense, manufacturing, healthcare, bioscience, and transportation.
Our attorneys are familiar with Aurora's various professional licensing associations. We're prepared to fight for your license in this prominent Illinois city.
Joliet
Joliet is another prominent suburb of Chicago, meaning that it offers a healthy smattering of industries and employment opportunities. You may benefit from hiring a legal team that understands the unique professional climate in Joliet and the licensing bodies that oversee this community.
Naperville
While Illinois is much larger than Chicago and its satellite communities, most of the state's largest population centers lie nearby the Windy City. If you live or work in Naperville or any other community in Illinois, we will provide capable license defense services.
Our attorneys are familiar with other prominent communities including Rockford, Springfield, Peoria, and more. Even if we have never defended a client in your community, we will deliver professional, thorough legal services.
What Offenses Can Lead to the Suspension or Revocation of a Professional License?
Any number of allegations, including false allegations, can put a professional career in jeopardy. Sometimes, well-intentioned professionals in Illinois make errors unconsciously. Other times, ill-intentioned or mistaken individuals file complaints without merit.
Whatever the underlying circumstances, you may face formal disciplinary proceedings if you're accused of:
- Sexual misconduct: If you're accused of violating someone's personal space, making inappropriate remarks, or engaging in any other sexually inappropriate behavior, your licensing board may not extend the presumption of innocence. These allegations can be especially stigmatizing, so it's imperative we clear your name beyond doubt.
- Endangering others: If you're accused of putting anyone in harm's way, whether it is a patient, customer, or the general public, expect the licensing board to take heavy-handed action—unless you're able to absolve yourself, which we'll help with.
- Financial improprieties: Financial professionals may be particularly vulnerable to allegations of financial impropriety. However, even something as common as recordkeeping errors could land you in trouble.
- Conflicts of interest: If you're accused of commingling interests in an unethical manner, the allegation may threaten your license.
- Fraud: An accusation of fraud can stem from how you obtained your credentials, represented yourself, or portrayed your business. You should always take the term “fraud” seriously, as your profession's licensing board undoubtedly will.
- Substance issues: If you're accused of using or misusing alcohol or drugs in your personal or professional life, it may be grounds for professional discipline.
- Criminal acts: Committing a criminal act may be grounds for suspension or revocation of your professional license.
Our attorneys are not primarily concerned with whether you committed or did not commit the offense you're accused of. Though this is highly relevant, you need a tenacious defense regardless of the merit of allegations levied against you.
We Represent Every Type of Licensed Professional in Illinois
Our firm casts as wide a net as possible, knowing that anyone with a professional license could find themselves in a career-threatening circumstance at any time. We've consciously expanded our knowledge base so that we can represent the following:
- Doctors
- Pharmacists
- Physician assistants
- Surveyors
- Physical therapists
- Engineers
- Real estate agents
- Teachers
- Cosmetologists
- Tradesmen
- Architects
- Audiologists
- Truck drivers
- Insurance salesmen
- Accountants
- Mental health professionals
- Podiatrists
- Anesthesiologist
- Dentists
- Chiropractors
- Nurses
This is only a sampling of the types of clients we help overcome licensing issues. If your job is not on this list, we still want to hear from you. We may be familiar with your industry, related licensing issues, and strategies that can help you avoid serious sanctions.
Contact the Lento Law Firm Today to Discuss Our Professional License Defense Services
It is imperative that you retain an attorney firm as soon as possible. We have a limited time to prepare your defense, and we'll utilize every minute that you afford us.
Our legal team will manage every aspect of your defense. You continue to focus on your professional and personal demands, and we'll update you as necessary. Call the Lento Law Firm Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
