how do i file a complaint against an attorney in pennsylvania

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. The more information you provide, the better we can help you.

Full Answer

How do I file a complaint with the PA Attorney General?

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.

What should be included in a complaint against an attorney?

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).

How do I file a complaint with the Professional Compliance Office?

Dec 09, 2019 · The complaint should include: Consumer contact information. Attorney’s contact information. Relevant court case information, if applicable. Any previous complaints the consumer has made against the attorney. The specific facts of the case, including the perceived misconduct and supporting evidence.

How do I file a disciplinary action against a PA Supreme Court?

The Attorney General, through the Bureau of Consumer Protection, provides a mediation service to consumers where an attempt may be made to mediate your individual consumer complaint if it falls within the jurisdiction of the office. Please be advised that the information you provide will be shared with the party against which you have filed a ...

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.

Who regulates attorneys in PA?

The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is dedicated to protecting the public, maintaining the integrity of the legal profession, and safeguarding the reputation of the courts.

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 is Pennsylvania rule?

An rule of maritime law that if a ship is in some violation of a navigation statute at the time of a collision, she is presumed to be at fault. "The Pennsylvania Rule, in other words, shifts to defendants the burden of disproving causation. ...

How do I contact the Pennsylvania attorney general?

You should contact our Bureau of Consumer Protection at [email protected] or phone at 1-800-441-2555.

What are examples of ethics violations?

Ethics violations such as discrimination, safety violations, poor working conditions and releasing proprietary information are other examples. Situations such as bribery, forgery and theft, while certainly ethically improper, cross over into criminal activity and are often dealt with outside the company.Aug 14, 2015

What is unethical behavior examples?

5 Most Common Unethical Behaviors Ethics Resource Center (ERC) SurveyMisuse of company time. Whether it is covering for someone who shows up late or altering a timesheet, misusing company time tops the list. ... Abusive Behavior. ... Employee Theft. ... Lying to employees. ... Violating Company Internet Policies.Jul 2, 2016

Can I sue a lawyer for lying?

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.May 8, 2020

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.

What Counts as Lawyer Misconduct in Pennsylvania?

Lawyers in Pennsylvania adhere to the bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct. These rules spell out a lawyer’s responsibilities, but they function more as guidelines than absolutes, as clarified in point 19 of the Preamble, which sets forth a lawyer's responsibilities. Not all PA Bar Association complaints result in disciplinary action.

How Can I Make a PA Bar Association Complaint?

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:

What Discipline Will My Lawyer Face?

The Pennsylvania Bar Association Disciplinary Board can opt for public or private disciplinary measures against an offending lawyer. When consumers request information about a member of the PA Bar Association, complaints and public disciplinary measures are reported.

What Can I Do If a Lawyer Steals My Money?

Unfortunately, misappropriation of funds is a risk whenever a consumer gives a professional representative, such as a lawyer, her financial account information.

What If My Lawyer and I Disagree on How Much I Owe?

County bar associations in Pennsylvania handle bill-related concerns through Fee Dispute Committees. Consumers should contact the individual association and request information about filing a complaint.

How Can I Complain About Prosecutor Misconduct?

Sometimes, the problem is not a client’s lawyer but that of the opposing side. In criminal cases, this is the prosecutor. Academically speaking, there are four types of widely recognized prosecutor misconduct:

Your Information

By providing your email address, you agree to receive email communications from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

Complaint Information

Please explain your complaint: Try to be brief, but be sure to tell WHAT happened, WHEN it happened and WHERE it happened. Be specific about any oral statements the business made to you, ESPECIALLY those that influenced you to deal with the company, including how you heard about the company. Describe events in the order in which they happened.

Do I have to identify myself when I file a complaint?

No, but it is strongly encouraged that you do. Although the Board does accept anonymous complaints, they are much more difficult to investigate.

Filing a Complaint by Mail

There are two versions of our Request for Investigation form available. The first version is for Microsoft Word. If you have Microsoft Word, open the complaint form. You can then fill out most (all but date and signature) of the form in Word, Print It, Sign It, and Mail it to us.

Insurance Information

Did you file a formal appeal (complaint/grievance) with your health plan?

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

The Attorney General cannot act as your private attorney. As a law enforcement agency, the primary function of the Office of Attorney General is to represent the public at large by enforcing laws including those prohibiting fraudulent, deceptive, confusing or misleading trade practices.

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 to do if you have concerns about an attorney?

Criminal conduct. 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: Alabama. Alaska.