how to report a lawyer pennsylvania

Submit a Complaint The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General receives more than 50,000 complaints and referrals each year, which allows us to fight on your behalf. You can submit a complaint online or by printing out and sending a form into our office.

Full Answer

Where can I find information on an attorney in Pennsylvania?

ONLINE. To file a complaint, fill out the electronic form below. For FAQs related to the complaint process, click here. MAIL. If you prefer, you can print the fillable English-language complaint form found here. After signing the completed form, mail it directly to the district office where the attorney practices.

How do I file a complaint against a lawyer in Pennsylvania?

Dec 09, 2019 · Consumers can make complaints to the Pennsylvania Bar Association Disciplinary Board through the website or by printing or requesting a paper form from them. The complaint should include: Consumer contact information. Attorney’s contact information. Relevant court case information, if applicable.

What are the rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers in Pennsylvania?

Sep 09, 2021 · Common complaints by clients include: Failing to communicate with the client. Lawyers have a duty to keep their clients reasonably informed about the status of their cases, to respond ... Not returning the client's documents. A client’s file is generally considered to be the property of the client. ...

What does the Pennsylvania Department of State do for licensing complaints?

You may request a Statement of Complaint Form by mail, by calling the Professional Compliance Office Hotline at 1-800-822-2113 (if you are calling from within Pennsylvania) or at 1-(717) 783-4849 (if you are calling from outside Pennsylvania).

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Can you sue a lawyer for not doing their job?

What do you do when your lawyer lies to you?

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Why do lawyers ignore you?

How often should I hear from my attorney?

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 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.

Who reviews ethics complaints?

In most cases, a board of lawyers and non-lawyers will review the complaint. If there’s a potential ethical violation, the board will give the lawyer a copy of the complaint and an opportunity to respond.

Do lawyers make mistakes?

Lawyers are human, and like everyone else, they sometimes make mistakes when representing clients. In some cases, the mistakes are small and easily fixable—for example, not filing enough copies of a document with the court or needing to reschedule a meeting. Other times, the mistakes are serious—such as missing the deadline to file a lawsuit, ...

What is the responsibility 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.

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 duty of a lawyer?

Lawyers have a duty to keep their clients reasonably informed about the status of their cases, to respond promptly to requests for information, and to consult with their clients about important decisions in their cases (for example, whether to accept a settlement offer). Not returning the client's documents.

How to file a complaint against a state?

There are several ways in which to file your complaint 1 Download the Statement of Complaint Form (PDF). You will need Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader to view this form. If you do not have either please click on the link in the left hand navigation bar to get a free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Return the completed form by mail to the Professional Compliance Office at: Department of State, Professional Compliance Office, PO Box 69522, 2601 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9522. Be sure to include any attachments and supporting documents (legible copies, no originals) that you wish to provide in support of your complaint. 2 You may request a Statement of Complaint Form by mail, by calling the Professional Compliance Office Hotline at 1-800-822-2113 (if you are calling from within Pennsylvania) or at 1-717-783-4854 (if you are calling from outside Pennsylvania). Return the completed form to the Professional Compliance Office at: Department of State, Professional Compliance Office, PO Box 69522, 2601 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9522. Be sure to include any attachments and supporting documents (legible copies, no originals) that you wish to provide in support of your complaint.

What is disciplinary action?

Disciplinary actions are a matter of public record and are subject to release by the Department of State's Office of Communications and Press to various news agencies in the Commonwealth.