how do you file a complaint against a lawyer in colorado

1. You start a lawsuit by filing a complaint. You can find a form complaint at the Colorado Judicial Branch self-help website.
2. Complete your forms. You will need to provide the information requested by each form. Either type the information or print neatly with blue or black ink.
3. File the complaint. You should take the completed forms and all of your copies to the court clerk and ask to file.
4. Serve notice on the defendants. Each defendant must be given notice. Notice will consist of the summons and a copy of the complaint.

Full Answer

How do I file a complaint against a judge in Colorado?

Deprivation of Rights by Governmental Authority. File a Report. Office of the Attorney General. Colorado Department of Law. Ralph L. Carr Judicial Building. 1300 Broadway, 10th Floor. Denver, CO 80203. (720) 508-6000. Contact the Office of the Attorney General.

How do I file a complaint against an attorney?

To file a complaint against an attorney, contact the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel by calling (303) 457-5800, or toll free (877) 888-1370, or by using the following online complaint form. Your full name, address, and phone number. Attorney's full name, registration number, address, law firm, and phone number.

Why is it important to file a complaint in Colorado?

Please contact the Commission Coordinator at (303) 894-2997, or 1-800-262-4845 (outside Denver area only), if you wish to review the file. It is not necessary for you to file an appeal in order to exhaust the administrative process. In employment cases, the enclosed Letter of Determination includes the notice of Right to Sue, which allows you to file your case in the civil …

Where do I file a complaint against a scammer in Colorado?

What can a person do if he or she feels that an attorney or judge in a legal matter acted unprofessionally? In Colorado, there are formal complaint processes to review the conduct of attorneys and judges and to administer discipline when warranted. Additionally, voters can choose whether to retain or dismiss judges who are up for retention in an election.

How do I lodge a complaint against an attorney?

Depending on where your attorney is practicing, your complaint should either be lodged at:Gauteng, North-West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo to the Law Society of the Northern Provinces (www.northernlaw.co.za)Free State to the Law Society of the Free State (www.fs-law.co.za)More items...

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 I file a complaint with the attorney general of Colorado?

To file a complaint, please visit: https://coag.gov/file-complaint/

What is legal complaint process?

Once a complaint is lodged with the NSW Legal Services Commissioner (the Commissioner), the Commissioner may: Conduct a preliminary assessment or investigation of the complaint. Attempt informal resolution of the complaint. refer it to the Law Society Council for preliminary assessment, investigation or determination, ...

Can you sue a lawyer for not doing their job?

A claim of malpractice may exist if your lawyer exhibited negligence in your representation. If your lawyer's negligence caused you to suffer harm or a less advantageous outcome or settlement in your case, you may have a claim to sue your lawyer for professional negligence.

What do you do when your lawyer lies to you?

The rules of legal ethics in most states require attorneys to be honest and to be able to do their job at a certain level of competence. If you feel that your legal representative has lied or misled you, or is performing their duties at a level below that of a competent attorney, you may want to file a lawsuit.

What is the Colorado Consumer Protection Act?

The Colorado Consumer Protection Act is a statutory scheme adopted by the Colorado legislature intended to deter and punish businesses that engage in unfair or deceptive trade practices with the public.

What does the Colorado attorney general do?

The Attorney General has primary authority for enforcement of consumer protection and antitrust laws, prosecution of criminal appeals and some complex white-collar crimes, the Statewide Grand Jury, training and certification of peace officers, and most natural resource and environmental matters.

What does the attorney general do?

The Attorney General is the adviser to the Government on matters of law and legal opinion and attends Government meetings. They also represent the public in all legal proceedings that involve the enforcement of the law or the protection of public rights.

What is the professional misconduct?

Professional misconduct means dereliction of duty relating to Legal profession. Under S. 35 of the Advocates Act, An Advocate is punishable not only for professional misconduct but also for other misconduct. Other misconduct means a misconduct not directly connected with the legal profession.

What is internal complaint?

You should consider making a formal internal complaint as soon as you feel that you have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, defamation, or some other unlawful or unethical treatment by a supervisor, coworker, or employer.

What do you consider to be a breach of human rights?

Civil and political rights are violated through genocide, torture, and arbitrary arrest. These violations often happen during times of war, and when a human rights violation intersects with the breaking of laws about armed conflict, it's known as a war crime.

How to file a complaint against an attorney?

To file a complaint against an attorney, contact the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel by calling (303) 457-5800, or toll free (877) 888-1370 or by using the following online complaint form.

How long does it take to speak to an attorney about a complaint?

The average time to speak to the attorney assigned to your complaint is between 7 and 14 days. Note that the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel generally does not handle complaints about judges, such as complaints about the way a judge handles a case or issues decisions.

Who can apply the Code of Judicial Conduct to magistrate judges?

The Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel also may be authorized to apply the Code of Judicial Conduct to certain other judges, including magistrate judges. For more information on what to expect when filing a complaint, please visit our FAQs.

How long does it take to get a complaint from a non-lawyer?

Because of the number of complaints filed with the office, a delay of several days is possible.

What does a non-lawyer investigator do?

The intake investigator will not provide legal advice or give you an opinion about your complaint. Rather, your complaint will be assigned for investigation by an attorney in the central intake division.

Can an attorney review a judicial decision?

It is important to understand that Attorney Regulation Counsel cannot review a judicial decision made by a magistrate or judge. Also, the attorney assigned to your complaint does not represent you and cannot assist you in your legal matter.

How to file a complaint against an attorney?

How do I file a complaint? To file a complaint against an attorney, contact the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel by calling (303) 457-5800, or toll free (877) 888-1370, or by using the following online complaint form. Your full name, address, and phone number. Attorney's full name, registration number, address, law firm, and phone number.

How long does it take to get a complaint from a non-lawyer?

Because of the number of complaints filed with the office, a delay of several days is possible.

What are the sanctions against an attorney's license?

For more serious misconduct, the office pursues a disciplinary sanction against the attorney’s license, which can include private admonition, public censure, suspension, or disbarment.

What is the office of attorney regulation?

The Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel is a professional oversight office. The office investigates allegations of ethical misconduct by attorneys to determine whether attorneys have violated the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct ("Rules").

How to prove a claim in Colorado?

The attorneys at the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel have to prove your claims by “clear and convincing evidence.” This is a legally defined burden of proof. It is more rigorous than the preponderance of the evidence standard but less rigorous than proving a case beyond a reasonable doubt. In order to prove a claim by clear and convincing evidence, our attorneys must show that it is substantially more likely than not the claim is true and that the misconduct violates the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct. This higher standard often requires specific dates, specific information and other supporting documentation. Be prepared with this information, if you have it.

Why are attorneys upset?

Most attorneys are understandably upset when they're notified of a complaint against them. Anxiety about loss of a license or a soiled reputation is common, but isn't necessarily warranted. The Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel is required to look into all complaints.

What is the first step in the complaint process?

When you call the office with a complaint or use the online complaint form, you will be connected to the central intake division , which is the first step of the complaint process. For telephone complaints, a non-lawyer investigator in the central intake division will ask you questions about your complaint.

What can a person do if an attorney or judge in a legal matter acted unprofessionally?

What can a person do if he or she feels that an attorney or judge in a legal matter acted unprofessionally? In Colorado, there are formal complaint processes to review the conduct of attorneys and judges and to administer discipline when warranted. Additionally, voters can choose whether to retain or dismiss judges who are up for retention in an election. This issue brief provides an overview of these complaint and retention processes.

Do you have to pay a fine in Colorado?

Individuals convicted of criminal offenses are typically required by the court to pay associated fines, fees, and surcharges.   This memorandum provides an overview of the fines and fees that are imposed upon a criminal conviction in Colorado, including those financial obligations that support...

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 to do if you believe an attorney has committed professional misconduct?

If you believe an attorney has committed professional misconduct, you have the option of filing a complaint with the attorney regulatory authorities in your juris diction (links below).

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 ...

What happens if a lawyer complains about a lawyer?

If the complaint is sustained, the disciplinary board will begin its investigation. Sometimes the lawyer will be required to appear at a hearing and answer questions about the incident that prompted the complaint. 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. It usually serves only to admonish, suspend, or disbar attorneys who break the rules governing the practice of law.

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.

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.

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 to do if you think your lawyer violated an ethical rule?

If you think your lawyer has violated an ethical rule, you may file a complaint with the disciplinary board in the state where the lawyer is licensed.

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.

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 is a conflict of interest in law?

Conflicts of interest. Lawyers owe a duty of loyalty to their clients, which means they must act with the client’s best interests in mind. This includes avoiding situations that would create a conflict of interest—such as representing two clients on opposite sides of the same case or taking on a new client who wants to sue an existing client.

Do lawyers have to return a case if they haven't been paid?

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.

Can a lawyer return a client's file?

Not returning the client's documents. A client’s file is generally considered to be the property of the client. 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.

What are the rules of professional conduct?

The American Bar Association publishes the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which lists standard ethical violations and best practices for lawyers. Some states have adopted the model rules as their own ethical rules, while others use it as a guide and modify or add rules.

What is the number to call for legal questions in Denver?

The Denver Bar Association runs this program in conjunction with Channel 9. Attorneys are available to answer your questions on Wednesday nights, call 303-698-0999. The Denver Bar Association holds various clinics on different topics. Click here to learn more.

How to contact the Office of Attorney Regulation?

You can call the Office of Attorney Regulation at 303-893-8121. They will help you work out a solution with your lawyer. Or visit them online at coloradosupremecourt.com/regulation/regulation.asp. Help, I need a lawyer!

How many members does the Colorado Bar Association have?

The Colorado Bar Association has about 18,500 members but that does not represent all of the licensed attorneys in Colorado. For those figures, call Attorney Registration at 303-866-6554.

Do all CBA members have to be supervising attorneys?

All Associate members are required to have one of their supervising attorneys, who must also be a current CBA member, sponsor their annual renewal. Associate members have the right to belong to sections, committees, or forum committees, but may not vote or hold office.