You've Worked Hard To Get Where You Are
Achieving a professional license – whether you are a lawyer, doctor or other health professional, contractor, teacher, or other licensed professional – is a huge milestone in your career. It tells citizens of the state of Mississippi that you have met all rules and regulations for your chosen profession – and are a member in good standing. It's a vital stamp of approval that tells potential clients that you know what you're doing – and can be trusted with their business.
To earn such a license, you must be thoroughly vetted by specific occupational licensing agencies in the state. You've got the education. You've passed the test. And you've shown that you have met all the necessary requirements to succeed. Your professional state license is an invaluable asset, as your ability to make a living in your field depends on you keeping it protected and up to date.
Achieving your professional license is an investment. It's taken you considerable time, money, and effort. That's why any allegation of professional misconduct or other misconduct that may put your license at risk needs to be handled with the utmost caution. Your license is your livelihood. If your professional license were to be suspended or revoked by the state of Mississippi, your career would take a significant hit – one from which you might never recover.
If you have been notified of a complaint and a pending investigation against you by the Mississippi licensing board that governs your occupation, the time to act is now. While you may be angry or even frustrated by the complaint that spurred an investigation, this is not the time to try to address the matter yourself. There is power in having a trusted Attorney-Advocate by your side. By engaging a professional license defense attorney who understands the policies and procedures that govern the complaint, investigation, review, decision, and appeals processes, you are in a better position to protect your license – and your ability to keep working in your field or industry.
The Costs of a Lost License
Once the Mississippi State licensing board starts an investigation into a complaint, it is possible they can decide to suspend or even revoke your license. You may face fines or other restitution costs. There are both short-term and long-term costs involved with the loss of your license. It's important to understand the negative consequences involved with license revocation from the very beginning. That way, if the worst happens, you won't find it impossible to continue to work in your chosen career.
Costs that come from professional license issues may be direct or indirect. Some of the most common costs and consequences involved with a revoked professional license in Mississippi include:
Altered income. If the state licensing board decides to revoke or suspend your license, you must cease working immediately. Your employer does not have to pay you severance or unemployment benefits. You are no longer eligible to work in your field – or to be paid for your work. The loss of income can have devastating effects on all aspects of your life. From a professional standpoint, you might have to give up the lease for your office or practice premises, lose your ability to pay business-related invoices, or, if you employ others, let go of trusted staff and personnel. Those costs then bleed into your personal life. Without a consistent source of income, you are likely to have trouble paying your mortgage, your utilities, and other home bills. Those changes in income, even in the short term, can be very hard to come back from.
A Spotted Reputation. One of the biggest indirect costs of a suspended or revoked professional license is the loss of trust and reputation. When you lose your license, your good name is tarnished. When you lose your license, it becomes a matter of public record. Your name and allegations of misconduct will likely be published either on the state board's website or within one of its professional publications. While it's often said that any publicity is good publicity, this is the exception to the rule. Once you lose trust and reputation, it's hard to get it back. Even if you do eventually get your license reinstated by the state board, you now have a spotted reputation. Employers and clients will pause before hiring you – and you will likely suffer from the loss of trust and credibility in the field.
Problems with Out-of-State Licensing. If you are facing a loss of license, you may well think you can just work in another state. Unfortunately, the stain on your reputation can make it hard to get licensed in another state. State boards may ask you on your application if you've had your license suspended or revoked elsewhere – and they will check. If you are already licensed in states outside of Mississippi, don't think you can just pick up in Tennessee or Alabama with no problems. Your loss of license in one state may trigger an investigation in others.
One of the biggest costs involved with a loss of your professional license is the loss of opportunity. You may be able to find alternative employment in your field without your license by taking a lesser position or working in a different area of your field that does not require the same sort of licensure. But even when such opportunities are available – and, far too often, they aren't – potential employers may regard your loss of license as a liability and look elsewhere for more viable employment candidates.
Professional License Defense in Mississippi
It's for all these reasons and more that you must take any threat to your loss of license seriously. When you have experienced professional license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento by your side, you are in a better position to mitigate the damage from any allegations – and come out the other side with your license – and reputation – intact.
Because, let's face it, even if you manage to keep your license after an investigation, you could still face adverse consequences. It is not out of the question that Mississippi smacks you with a formal reprimand or censure. You may still face fines or restitution payments. There's a chance the Mississippi state licensing board may mandate continuing education classes – and you'll be the one stuck with the bill. While any of these outcomes is preferable to an outright suspension or revocation of your professional license, there can still lead to downstream consequences that can and will affect your ability to do your job in the state of Mississippi.
Attorney-Advocate Joseph D. Lento and his Professional License Defense Team, however, are here to help you minimize any short-term or long-term costs to your reputation and your pocketbook. When the Lento Law Firm is involved in your case right from the beginning, you are much more likely to have the Mississippi State Licensing Board dismiss any fraudulent or misleading complaint outright. When that doesn't happen, Lento and his team can help limit any damage to your good name.
Areas the Lento Law Firm Serves in Mississippi
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Professional License Defense Team serve professionally licensed workers across the entire state of Mississippi. Most of our clients can be found in more densely populated urban areas – or areas with thriving healthcare centers – including:
Jackson. Jackson is the largest metropolitan area in the state of Mississippi. Nearly one-fifth of the state population resides in the general area – and it is also home to four of Mississippi's largest hospitals, including the University Hospital at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Gulfport. This is the second-largest city in the state and also home to Memorial Hospital Gulfport.
Southaven. The Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, a general hospital with more than 300 inpatient beds, is located in this smaller city.
Tupelo. The largest not-for-profit hospital in the state, North Mississippi Medical Center, is located in Tupelo.
What Does a Professional License Defense Attorney Do?
The Mississippi State Licensing Board – like any other state licensing authority – has detailed policies, procedures, and protocols about how to handle potential allegations of misconduct. Whether you are licensed in medicine, law, education, or some other field, this governing authority does provide you with due process so you can provide a defense and fully participate in any hearing.
The first sign that your license may be at risk is when you are notified that a complaint has been made with the state licensing authority. The next steps should be published for you to review. Yet, those policies are not always followed to the letter. Having skilled help from the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm on your side will help you better understand the ins and outs of these protocols, from the investigation through any ultimate appeals to a decision.
Every state regulatory board has its own policies and procedures – and they are governed by the Mississippi state laws. When you retain the right attorney-advocate, you gain an advantage – you have counsel to help guide you through every step of the process to ensure you don't make any missteps. They can help you mount a strong defense against any allegations – and, if an investigation finds the complaint is valid, the Lento Law Firm can negotiate with your state licensing board to reduce any fines or other penalties. Joseph D. Lento and the Professional License Defense Team can also help you put your best foot forward with the licensing board to remediate any issues without having to lose your license – or, if you do end up losing your license, help you get on track to have it reinstated as quickly as possible.
The Lento Law Firm has experience helping licensed professionals across a wide variety of fields, including, but not limited to:
- Medical professionals including:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Therapists
- Emergency medical technicians
- Massage therapists
- And other health-related professions
- Other licensed professionals including:
- Architects
- Accountants
- Attorneys
- Teachers
- Other educators
- Real estate agents
- Contractors
- And many more.
The nature of potential misconduct allegations is vast. Luckily, the Lento Law Firm has experience providing professional license defense for a wide range of different allegations you might face, including:
- Professional misconduct or alleged behavior that violates your professional code of conduct.
- Sexual misconduct or sexual harassment.
- Substance abuse or addiction issues.
- Other criminal allegations.
It doesn't matter what issue you may be facing – Joseph D. Lento and his Professional License Defense team are here to help and make sure to get you to the best possible outcome.
We're Here for You
Being accused of professional misconduct is stressful, frustrating, and, let's face it, scary. If allegations have been made against you to the Mississippi State Licensing Board that governs your profession, you cannot ignore the issue – or hope that you can handle it on your own. Your ability to provide for yourself and your family is at stake. One misstep and you could lose your livelihood and, ultimately, your future career prospects.
You are a licensed professional. You know the ins and outs of your job – and what the state of Mississippi expects from you to remain in good standing. But you need to understand a challenge to your license is no small matter. You do not have the same rights as you would in a court of law in a criminal matter. Therefore, you should not wait to retain counsel. You need skilled attorney Joseph D. Lento to help you mount a good defense so you can better preserve your license – and your career trajectory.
There's no time to lose. Your reputation and career should not be put at risk. Far too often, a misunderstanding, one-time lapse in judgment, or unfounded allegation can end a professional's career. Don't let the same happen to you.
Joseph D. Lento has helped many clients save their professional licenses from state licensing board complaints. He can help you, too. Call the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 today to discuss your case – and determine how to fight for your license and future.
