There is a form for filing a complaint at the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel's website at www.mochiefcounsel.org. The telephone number for the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel is (573) 635-7400.
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.
The professional conduct of attorneys is governed by Supreme Court Rule 4 and the discipline process is governed by Supreme Court Rule 5. Many lawyers are reluctant to report their peers to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel ("OCDC") for violations of the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct.
Complaints are used by the Attorney General's Office to learn about misconduct and to determine whether to investigate a company. However, the Attorney General's Office cannot provide legal advice or assistance to individuals.
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 ...
Legal malpractice is a type of negligence in which a lawyer does harm to his or her client. Typically, this concerns lawyers acting in their own interests, lawyers breaching their contract with the client, and, one of the most common cases of legal malpractice, is when lawyers fail to act on time for clients.
The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear five types of cases on appeal:The validity of a United States statute or treaty.The validity of a Missouri statute or constitutional provision.The state's revenue laws.Challenges to a statewide elected official's right to hold office.More items...
Alan Pratzel was appointed as the Chief Disciplinary Counsel by the Supreme Court of Missouri in April 2007. In his position with the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Mr. Pratzel oversees the investigation and disposition of all complaints against lawyers in the State of Missouri.
The Missouri Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges is a judicial disciplinary agency in Missouri.
Upon receipt of the complaint, the Magistrate decides on the cognizance of the offence. Then he examines, upon oath, the complainant and the witness (es), if any. The complaint is then reduced to written form. The complainant and the witness(es) need to sign the same in front of the Magistrate.
The Attorney General's Office brings and defends lawsuits on behalf of the State and prepares formal legal opinions requested by State officers, legislators, or county attorneys on issues of law.
In the case of D.K. Gandhiv. M. Mathias,42 the National Consumer Redressal Commission made it clear that all professionals, including lawyers, should come under the ambit of the CPA.