how to file a complaint against an attorney in pennsylvania

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

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 …

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

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?

How to file a complaint against a lawyer in Pennsylvania? If you have had a problem or issue with a lawyer in Pennsylvania, you can file a complaint with a district office of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The board will work with you to resolve the issue.

What should be included in a complaint against an attorney?

Lawyers follow a set of guidelines established by the country bar to protect the public and the police. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania investigates complaints against lawyers and determines appropriate disciplinary action when violations occur. It ’ s important to note the PA Disciplinary Board […]

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.

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 ...

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

WHEN SHOULD YOU FILE A COMPLAINT You can download a complaint form from our website at www.attorneygeneral.gov or you can call our toll-free number, 1.800. 441.2555, to have a form mailed to you.

Who regulates lawyers in Pennsylvania?

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 professional misconduct for a lawyer?

The expression professional misconduct in the simple sense means improper conduct. In law profession misconduct means an act done willfully with a wrong intention by the people engaged in the profession. It means any activity or behaviour of an advocate in violation of professional ethics for his selfish ends.

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

How do I contact the PA Attorney General?

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

Where can I complain about a company?

10 Effective Ways to Complain About a Company OnlineGo to the company website. ... Contact the Better Business Bureau. ... Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). ... Check out the Ripoff Report. ... Email [email protected]. ... Try Yelp. ... Post on Planet Feedback. ... Google your attorney general.More items...

Who is AG in PA?

Josh Shapiro (Democratic Party)Pennsylvania / Attorney generalJoshua David Shapiro is an American lawyer and politician serving as the attorney general of Pennsylvania. He previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and as chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Wikipedia

Can you sue a township in PA?

Similarly to the rules for suing the state, you can also sue a municipality, such as the local housing authority, if the accident involved: ... Personal property in the care, custody, or control of the municipality. Real estate property in the care, custody, or control of the municipality.Jul 22, 2020

Why would the US Attorney office call me?

Often, fake debt collectors say they're with a law firm or a government agency — for example, the FTC, the IRS or a sheriff's office. Then, they threaten to arrest you or take you to court if you don't pay on a debt you supposedly owe. In most cases, the call appears to be coming from a legitimate number.

What does the attorney general do?

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to: Represent the United States in legal matters. Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.Oct 8, 2021

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:

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.