how do i file complaint against an indiana lawyer?

by Roscoe Bosco DDS 10 min read

It's always a good idea to try to work things out with your lawyer informally. If that doesn't work, you may file a grievance with the Disciplinary Commission within the Indiana courts system. Visit the Indiana Disciplinary Commission’s website to learn about what types of violations attorneys can be disciplined for, and how to file complaints.

Full Answer

How do I file a complaint against an attorney?

File a complaint against an attorney. It's always a good idea to try to work things out with your lawyer informally. If that doesn't work, you may file a grievance with the Disciplinary Commission within the Indiana courts system. Visit the Indiana Disciplinary Commission’s website to learn about what types of violations attorneys can be disciplined for, and how to file complaints.

How do I file a grievance with the Indiana Supreme Court disciplinary commission?

What do I do if I have a complaint against a lawyer? It's always a good idea to try to work things out with your lawyer informally. If that doesn't work, you may file a grievance with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. To file a grievance, you must complete and submit a Request for Investigation form.

Can a judge file a complaint against an attorney for improper behavior?

Apr 03, 2017 · There are a few important things to keep in mind when thinking of filing a complaint: Serious neglect of your case. Failure to provide an accounting of your money or property held by the attorney. Commingling your funds with the attorney's own money. Refusing to return your file at the conclusion of ...

How do you review a lawyer's complaints?

Mar 28, 2009 · To file a complaint about a lawyer in Indiana: http://www.in.gov/ Lawyer Complaint Mailing Address Disciplinary Commission 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1165 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Telephone 317-232-1807 Complaints about Indiana Judges and Indiana Lawyers Each State has its own procedures for filing complaints against judges. All states …

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What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

How do you write a complaint letter about a lawyer?

Formal complaint against [name of lawyer or law firm] describe what the lawyer had been hired to do for you [for example dealing with the sale or purchase of a house] • say when this was [give the date or dates when the problem occurred]. My complaint is that [list what you think went wrong or wasn't done properly.

Who is the governing authority for licensing and monitoring attorneys in Indiana?

What is the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission? The Disciplinary Commission is an agency of the Indiana Supreme Court. It is responsible for investigating and prosecuting claims of misconduct against lawyers licensed to practice law in Indiana and protecting lawyers against unwarranted claims of misconduct.

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

What do you do when a lawyer doesn't respond?

If your lawyer still does not respond, you can send him or her a letter explaining the communication problems. If at this point you do not hear anything from your lawyer, you should consult with a legal malpractice attorney.Sep 27, 2018

What constitutes the unauthorized practice of law in Indiana?

Rule 5.5 - Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law (a) A lawyer shall not practice law in a jurisdiction in violation of the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction, or assist another in doing so.

What are the top three industries that employ lawyers?

Industry profile for Lawyers:IndustryEmployment (1)Percent of industry employmentLegal Services417,30036.58Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS Designation)58,5101.09State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS Designation)45,3602.07Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)40,4001.921 more row

What does the Indiana Bar Association do?

As the largest legal organization in Indiana, the Indiana State Bar Association empowers its members (lawyers, judges, paralegals, law librarians, law students and court administrators) to thrive professionally and personally.

What to do if you are unsure about an attorney?

If you are unsure whether your concerns with an attorney involve professional misconduct, in most states you can call or email the disciplinary office and discuss the matter prior to submitting a written complaint. Contact information for attorney regulatory authorities, by jurisdiction:

What are some examples of attorney practices that violate the Rules?

Some examples of attorney practices that violates the Rules include: Failure to provide an accounting of your money or property held by the attorney. Commingling your funds with the attorney's own money. Refusing to return your file at the conclusion of the representation.

What are some examples of attorney misconduct?

Some examples of attorney practices that violates the Rules include: Serious neglect of your case. Failure to provide an accounting of your money ...

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Contact the Indiana Commission of Judicial Qualifications. To file a complaint about a judge in Indiana: www.in.gov/judiciary

How to File Complaints Against Indiana Judges and Lawyers

Contact the Indiana Commission of Judicial Qualifications. To file a complaint about a judge in Indiana: www.in.gov/judiciary

2 attorney answers

The short answer is "You can't." The prosecutor has ABSOLUTE discretion on whether to file ANY criminal charges, and if charges are filed, the prosecutor has absolute discretion on what charges to file...

Jay Meisenhelder

The prosecutor is not obligated to bring any charges at all. You can complain all you want---spitting into the wind. The DA's office decides if and when to bring charges on behalf of the People. Not citizens. You can sue the bad check writer if you want in civil court to recover any damages you suffered. All the best to you...

What is the name of the board that handles complaints against lawyers?

In many states, a division of the courts handles these complaints. This is typically referred to as the disciplinary board . Some states rely on their state bar associations to discipline their attorneys.

What happens if a complaint is found to be true?

If the complaint is found to be true, the disciplinary board can fine the attorney, force the attorney to attend classes or perform community service, or take away the attorney's license. The disciplinary board typically does not give the person who complained about the attorney any money.

What is disciplinary action for an attorney?

For attorneys, a disciplinary action is very serious as it can directly affect their ability to earn a living. It may be best to first try and resolve any dispute you have with the attorney on your own.

Do lawyers make mistakes?

Most lawyers do their most to provide the best representation possible. However, every so often lawyers do not act properly or make serious mistakes, and in those cases their clients can file a complaint with the entity responsible for overseeing the practice of law in their state.

What happens if a client fires a lawyer?

When a client fires a lawyer and asks for the file, the lawyer must promptly return it. In some states, such as California, the lawyer must return the file even if attorneys’ fees haven’t been paid in full. Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on.

What is the role of a disciplinary board in a state?

State Disciplinary Boards. Each state has a disciplinary board that enforces state ethics rules for lawyers. The board is usually an arm of the state’s supreme court and has authority to interpret ethics rules, investigate potential violations, conduct evidentiary hearings, and administer attorney discipline.

How to file a complaint against a lawyer?

In most states, you can file your complaint by mailing in a state-issued complaint form or a letter with the lawyer's name and contact information, your contact information, a description of the problem, and copies of relevant documents. In some states, you may be able to lodge your complaint over the phone or online.

What is the role of a lawyer?

Lawyers are given a lot of responsibility and often deal with serious matters, from criminal charges to child custody to tax and other financial matters. When you hire a lawyer, you are trusting him or her to represent your interests in the best manner possible. To protect the public—and the integrity of the legal profession—each state has its own code of ethics that lawyers must follow. These are usually called the “rules of professional conduct.”

What is incompetence in a lawyer?

Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on. They must also be sufficiently prepared to handle matters that come up in your case, from settlement negotiations to trial. Conflicts of interest.

What is a public reprimand?

issue a private reprimand (usually a letter sent to the lawyer) issue a public reprimand (usually published in the agency’s official reports and a local legal journal or newspaper ) suspend the lawyer (the lawyer cannot practice law for a specific time) disbar the lawyer (the lawyer loses his or her license to practice law), and/or.

What happens if you don't report a violation of the law?

If there's no evidence of a violation, the board will dismiss the case and notify you. If the violation is minor, a phone call or letter to the lawyer usually ends the matter.

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