how to file a complaint against a louisiana attorney

All complaints regarding attorneys must be received in writing. Complaints can be filed by any person, not just a client, in one of two ways: By submitting a completed complaint form to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Complaint forms can also be obtained from the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board in Metairie or the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Baton Rouge, or by calling (800) 326-8022 or (225) 293-3900 to request one by mail.

Full Answer

How do I file a complaint in Louisiana?

To register a complaint against a lawyer with the lawyer discipline system, you should contact the Disciplinary Counsel's office. To make a complaint with the Disciplinary Counsel's office or obtain a complaint form, write to the following: Disciplinary Counsel 4000 South Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 607 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816-4388

How do I file a complaint against an attorney?

How do I file a complaint against a business in Louisiana? Consumer Protection issues. Call the Louisiana Attorney General at 225-326-6465 or contact www.ag.state.la.us.

What can I do if I don't have a lawyer in Louisiana?

All complaints against attorneys must be filed with Office of the Disciplinary Counsel. Complaints can be filed in on of two ways: (1) By submitting a completed complaint form to the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel. You can obtain a complaint form in person at the offices of the Disciplinary Counsel, or you can call 800-326-8022 to request ...

How do I file a complaint against the State Inspector General?

Filing a Complaint Complaint Form Please enter the information requested below, and then click “Submit”. The completed form will be automatically submitted to the State Inspector General. You may also print a copy of this form and mail or fax the completed form to: Office of State Inspector General, P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095 or fax number 225-342-6761.

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

Welcome to the LADB In 1990, the Supreme Court of Louisiana established the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, a statewide agency to administer the lawyer discipline and disability system.

How do I file a complaint against Louisiana?

Complaints or information may be filed online, in person, by mail, telephone, or fax. The Complaint Form can be completed online and sent electronically. It can also be printed for mailing or faxing. Complaints may also be filed by calling the Fraud and Abuse Hotline at 1-866-801-2549.

Who is the attorney general in Louisiana?

The attorney general shall exercise other powers and perform other duties authorized by this constitution or by law." The current attorney general, Jeff Landry has been in office since 2016.

How do I file a complaint against a district attorney in California?

For information on how to file a complaint, visit www.calbar.ca.gov or call the Attorney Complaint Hotline at (800) 843-9053.

How do I report a state facility in Louisiana?

Support Coordination (Case Management) 800-660-0488. For all other programs, call Health Standards Section: 225-342-0138.

Who is the commissioner of insurance in Louisiana?

Jim DonelonLouisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon has served as Commissioner of Insurance for the state of Louisiana for more than 15 years. He was first appointed as Insurance Commissioner in February 2006 when the seat was vacated by the incumbent.

What are the responsibilities of the attorney general of Louisiana?

The attorney general is the chief legal officer of Louisiana. In this capacity, the attorney general is responsible for providing official legal opinions to state agencies, officers and legislators. He may also advise local political subdivisions and their offices.

Is there a Louisiana Bureau of Investigation?

The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigation is responsible for the investigation of criminal activity, intelligence gathering, and case and technical support in the State of Louisiana.

How do I contact the Louisiana Attorney General?

Call the Louisiana Attorney General at 225-326-6465 or contact www.ag.state.la.us.

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 cases can be filed before the Ombudsman?

A complaint filed in or taken cognizance of by the Office of the Ombudsman charging any public officer or employee including those in the government-owned or controlled corporations, with an act or omission alleged to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient is an Ombudsman case.

Does my attorney have to give me my file?

Most documents held by your lawyer that relate to the case are yours—ask for them. In some states, however, a lawyer may have some rights to a file until the client pays a reasonable amount for work done on the case.Jun 7, 2018

Where to file a complaint in Louisiana?

Complaints can be filed by any person, not just a client, in one of two ways: By submitting a completed complaint form to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel . Complaint forms can also be obtained from the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board in Metairie or the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Baton Rouge, or by calling (800) 326-8022 or (225) ...

What is the phone number for ODC in Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816. Phone: (225) 293-3900 or (800) 326-8022. If additional information is needed, it will be requested by ODC. If you have difficulty corresponding in writing, a personal interview may be arranged after your written complaint is filed.

What is ODC in disability?

When the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) obtains all necessary facts regarding the alleged misconduct, an evaluation is made as to whether there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of a Rule violation. Upon the conclusion of an investigation, ODC may dismiss or may recommend probation, admonition, the filing of formal charges, the petitioning for transfer to disability inactive status, a stay, or diversion to the Practice Assistance and Improvement Program administered by the Louisiana State Bar Association. Typically, the investigation will result in one of the following dispositions:

What can ODC recommend?

Upon the conclusion of an investigation, ODC may dismiss or may recommend probation, admonition, the filing of formal charges, the petitioning for transfer to disability inactive status, a stay, or diversion to the Practice Assistance and Improvement Program administered by the Louisiana State Bar Association.

What is the purpose of ODC?

The aim of the investigation is to gather all facts necessary to determine whether there is clear and convincing evidence of misconduct on the part of the lawyer.

Can ODC file charges?

If the chairperson approves ODC’s request, ODC may proceed with the filing of formal charges. (The chairperson may grant partial approval on whatever portions of the request meet the probable cause standard.) Upon receiving the permission of a hearing committee chairperson, ODC may file formal charges.

How to file a complaint against an attorney?

All complaints against attorneys must be filed with Office of the Disciplinary Counsel. Complaints can be filed in on of two ways: (1) By submitting a completed complaint form to the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel. You can obtain a complaint form in person at the offices of the Disciplinary Counsel, or you can call 800-326-8022 to request ...

What is the Louisiana attorney's board?

The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, which was established by the Supreme Court of Louisiana in 1990, is tasked with the responsibility of investigating all allegations of lawyer misconduct and with the responsibility of making recommendations to the Court when discipline is warranted. The agency consists of a statewide board, hearing ...

Why do disciplinary committees volunteer?

Disciplinary Board members and hearing committee members are not paid for their work, but volunteer to do this work in order to maintain the standards of the legal profession. By bringing a complaint to the disciplinary agency’s attention, the public helps the legal profession achieve its goal.

What is the ODC's evaluation?

When the ODC obtains all necessary facts, an evaluation is made as to whether there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of a Rule violation. The investigation will result in one of the following dispositions: 1. Dismissal of the complaint. 2.

What are the rules of professional conduct in Louisiana?

The Supreme Court of Louisiana has adopted high standards of ethics and professional competence for lawyers who practice in Louisiana known as the Rules of Professional Conduct. When lawyers enter practice in Louisiana they obligate themselves to uphold the law and to abide by these Rules of Professional Conduct.

Can you sue an attorney in Louisiana?

They cannot sue an attorney on your behalf, or seek the return of money or property from the attorney. What is The LSBA Client Assistance Fund? The Client Assistance Fund is a public service of the legal profession in Louisiana. It was created to compensate clients who lose money due to a lawyer’s dishonest conduct.

Does filing a complaint with ODC mean you have applied to the client assistance fund?

That filing a complaint with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) does not mean you have applied to the Client Assistance Fund. Also, that filing a complaint with ODC, the filing of a Client Assistance Fund Application, or participation in the Fee Arbitration Program does not protect civil remedies or interrupt prescription.

Where is the Inspector General's office in Baton Rouge?

Complaints may also be filed by calling the Fraud and Abuse Hotline at 1-866-801-2549. The Office of State Inspector General is located at 602 North Fifth Street, Sixth Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70801.

Can an audit result in a public report?

Audits and investigations may result in public reports. Audits and investigations may also be concluded without further action upon determination that the allegations raised cannot be substantiated, or, in the judgment of the State Inspector General, are too insignificant to warrant a public report. The Office of State Inspector General conducts ...

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 ...

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.

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.

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.