A Reputation For Truly Helping Our Clients

Professional License Defense Lawyers

For professionals who are dependent on licensing from the state of Minnesota in order to practice in the areas of their expertise, ethics and misconduct allegations are extremely serious matters. Reputations painstakingly built over decades can come crashing down with a single claim of unethical behavior, criminal conduct or other violations. Licenses and credentials that allow you to practice are suddenly threatened with suspension or revocation. Our professional license defense attorneys understand what you are going through, and we are here to help.

If you are facing allegations against you in your professional capacity, you need a lawyer with the experience and knowledge to advocate for you. At Villaume & Schiek, in Bloomington, professional misconduct defense is one of our major focuses. Professional license defense is often connected to employment law cases (defense against sexual harassment, for example). Our attorneys have extensive experience in representing clients in employment law matters as well as professional license defense.

Call 952-641-7734 or email us to schedule a free initial consultation about defending your professional license.

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Workplace Violations That Can Cost Your License

Employment misconduct covers a wide range of actions that can prompt disciplinary proceedings and licensure issues. Common allegations include:

Discrimination or harassment violations
Unethical conduct or breach of duties
Misuse of funds or company resources
Substance abuse impacting job performance

Even if the claims are unfounded or embellished, the impacts on your professional reputation and standing can be severe if you don’t put up a strong legal defense.

Possible Repercussions For Professionals

Licensing boards ensure that only qualified individuals who maintain the highest ethical standards are able to achieve licensing. The down side to this is that they often wield an unbalanced amount of power over who is able to obtain or maintain a professional license.

Facing one of these licensing boards without the proper representation can be a risky move that might leave you with far-reaching consequences. As a result of unfavorable action from a licensing board, you could experience:

Hefty fines or other penalties
The loss of your license
An inability to work in your chosen industry
Public embarrassment and the loss of your reputation

Legal Ramifications For Professionals

The results of a licensing hearing could affect you legally as well. For example, a decision from the Minnesota Medical Malpractice Board could later be used in a medical malpractice or personal injury suit.

Allegations of abuse by the Minnesota Board of Psychology or the Minnesota Department of Human Services could even result in criminal charges being filed. A negative hearing in front of a board could later be construed as evidence of your guilt, even if you have not done anything wrong.

Career-Ending Criminal Allegations

Criminal charges like fraud, assault or substance abuse can also trigger disciplinary actions by licensing boards, even if the alleged conduct was unrelated to your job. The consequences of a criminal conviction are serious:

Suspension or revocation of professional licenses/credentials
Loss of employment and future job prospects
Costly fines and other penalties

Facing criminal charges as a licensed professional puts your entire career at risk. You should strongly consider challenging the allegations with legal counsel at your side.

Defending Your Professional License To Practice

Licensed professionals such as law enforcement officials, doctors, nurses, lawyers and psychologists have the benefits of a credential that reassures the public that they are qualified experts. But when professionals are accused of ethical violations, drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness, instability, misconduct or incompetence, the benefits of licensing can be suspended or revoked.

If you are a licensed professional facing discipline, you are entitled to a panel hearing in front of your licensing board, and you have a right to a contested case hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).

Professional discipline cases often turn on the testimony of expert witnesses. We have a network of reputable experts – including forensic psychologists, chemical and alcohol evaluators, law enforcement officers, and professionals from all licensed fields – who regularly testify on behalf of our clients.

We have the depth of experience and breadth of knowledge to offer innovative, zealous representation to clients facing professional discipline.

We Defend Professionals Across Different Industries

Professional misconduct cases are complicated affairs, requiring deep knowledge of regulatory disciplinary proceedings and criminal defense tactics. Our team at Villaume & Schiek builds defense strategies suited to the unique circumstances of each client across industries like:

Teachers
Health care professionals, including nurses facing disciplinary hearings
Psychologists
Social workers
Attorneys

In some instances, a charge of an ethics violation can be quite damaging for high-profile professionals. We recognize that even an inquiry can have a damaging effect, so we work diligently to keep all information private and keep any punishment or consequences confidential. Whatever your profession may be, misconduct allegations require representation from a firm with decades of experience. You can rest assured that our attorneys understand the nuances of your industry’s disciplinary processes and regulations.

Professional Ethics

For many professionals, ethical conduct is at the heart of their profession. A doctor not only takes the Hippocratic Oath but is also licensed by entities such as the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). In many professions, an ethics violation can be a career-altering occurrence.

At Villaume & Schiek, we represent a wide variety of professionals when they need to appear before a state or professional licensing board for an ethics violation. These violations could cause the loss of a professional license and are taken very seriously. Our attorneys represent doctors, lawyers, teachers, psychiatrists or psychologists, therapists, nurses, business executives, government officials, police, firefighters, dentists, CPAs, social workers, chiropractors and veterinarians.

Importance of Hiring An Attorney To Defend Your Professional License

Many of our clients in Bloomington and the surrounding area fail to take licensing hearings as seriously as they should. Only after they have received sanctions do they learn how important these hearings really are. Having an attorney who understands and will prepare an aggressive defense can often mean the difference between keeping one’s license and having to choose a completely different line of work.

Most licensing boards conduct themselves very professionally. However, there is always the possibility that a member will bully, harass, or intimidate someone just because he or she can. Those individuals tend to be much less aggressive when the person they are reviewing is being represented by legal counsel.

By their very nature, licensing boards are very complex entities that all have their own rules and regulations to follow. Sorting through all of these rules can be cumbersome for the average person, but is something that attorneys and their paralegal staff won’t feel overwhelmed by. Learning how the board is supposed to operate is often the key to crafting a solid legal strategy that ensures you are treated fairly.

An attorney can also make sure your legal rights are not violated. This is especially important if the matter could potentially progress to more serious criminal charges that might also result in prison time.

Handling Legal Claims And Company Discipline

In addition to the licensing consequences of alleged misconduct, there are many other common legal issues professionals face.

If you believe you have a legal claim against an employer or client, if an employee or client is suing you, or if there is a disciplinary proceeding against you for suspension or termination within your company, we will provide you with the fullest attention and advocacy.

FAQ: Minnesota Professional License Defense

If you are facing a licensing board investigation or disciplinary action in Minnesota, it is natural to have urgent concerns. The following questions and answers can help you understand what may happen next.

Will my case become public?

Minnesota licensing boards may eventually make certain disciplinary outcomes public, but the level of disclosure depends on the board and the stage of the case. Initial complaints and investigations are typically confidential, although that may change if the matter results in formal charges or final discipline.

Our professional license defense attorneys can help you plan how to protect your reputation and respond appropriately.

Will I lose my professional license?

Not every investigation leads to license suspension or revocation. Many are resolved through corrective action, monitoring or other outcomes. Licensing boards evaluate the nature of the allegations, the evidence and any mitigating factors before deciding on discipline.

Since the consequences vary widely, early legal guidance can help identify risks, prepare documentation and pursue options that may reduce the likelihood of losing your license.

Should I face the licensing board by myself?

You are allowed to appear on your own, but doing so can place you at a disadvantage. This is because board procedures, evidentiary rules and investigative expectations are not always intuitive.

Licensed professionals often find it helpful to prepare by reviewing the allegations, gathering records and understanding the board’s authority. Support from a lawyer familiar with the process can help prevent missteps and present your position effectively.

Can I appeal my license suspension or revocation?

In many situations, Minnesota law allows you to challenge a disciplinary decision through an appeal or by seeking review in district court. The available options depend on the board involved, the type of order issued and any deadlines that apply to your case.

Appeals require specific filings and strict timelines. This makes it important to evaluate your grounds for review and determine the most appropriate path forward as soon as a decision is issued.

Schedule A Consultation To Defend Your License

As a licensed professional, your reputation and ability to practice are everything. Even being accused of misconduct or ethics violations can jeopardize your career. Don’t let unfair allegations derail years of hard work and dedication. Our license defense attorneys have decades of experience defending professionals across Minnesota. We understand what’s at stake and will fight tirelessly to protect your professional future.

Call us today at 952-641-7734 or reach out to us online to get the respected, results-driven legal representation you deserve.