Learning that you are the subject of an ethics complaint can be frightening, stressful, and aggravating, especially if you handle your profession with care and tact. Yet no matter how many matters you successfully address in your capacity as a lawyer or a judge, a single ethics complaint can still do tremendous, irreversible damage to your reputation and career.
You must take any ethics complaint extremely seriously, even if you believe that the allegations are baseless. If a formal complaint is made to the Office of Bar Counsel or Commission on Judicial Discipline, you will be the subject of an investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
Lawyers can face the following types of disciplinary sanctions in Nevada:
Judges can face the following types of disciplinary sanctions in Nevada:
When you are the subject of an ethics complaint, you will receive formal notice from a prosecutor. You should under no circumstances ignore this notice, no matter how preposterous the underlying complaint. The prosecutor will begin to review the contents of the complaint as well as any evidence the claimant provided. They may also subpoena your records, review court filings, and interview any relevant witnesses.
You may be tempted to angrily or aggressively respond to the complaint, but doing so will be generally viewed unfavorably and can weaken your case. Instead of responding to a complaint emotionally, you should immediately contact experienced legal representation.
If you are a lawyer, you may wonder if you should represent yourself in the ethics investigation and any disciplinary proceedings. However, like any other area of the law, effective representation in ethics matters requires focused knowledge, specific experience, and attention to detail. Our legal team has decades of combined experience representing judges and lawyers in these types of cases.
Our Las Vegas ethics defense attorneys can assist you with:
Even the most experienced and professional lawyers and judges can become the subjects of ethics complaints. The State Bar of Nevada’s Office of Bar Counsel investigates and adjudicates allegations of unethical behavior and professional misconduct involving attorneys, while the Commission on Judicial Discipline oversees matters involving judges. Disciplinary measures stemming from an ethics complaint can include public reprimand, suspension of your license, and even disbarment or removal.
If you learn you are the subject of an ethics complaint, our Las Vegas ethics defense lawyers at Pitaro & Fumo, Chtd. can fight to protect your reputation and career. We can represent you in any disciplinary proceedings involving the Office of Bar Counsel or the Commission on Judicial Discipline. Our accomplished team has many decades of combined legal experience and can leverage our knowledge and resources to benefit your case.
