how to report a maine attorney

by Ike Windler 8 min read

To file a complaint, or learn more about grievance complaints against a Maine attorney, visit the Board of Overseers website. You may also download a grievance complaint form here. Maine State Bar Association does not have authority over attorney conduct, licensing, or fee disputes.

Contact the Office of the Attorney General
  1. Phone: 207-626-8800.
  2. TTY: 711.
  3. Mailing Address: 6 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333.

Full Answer

How do I file a complaint against an attorney in Maine?

To file a complaint, or learn more about grievance complaints against a Maine attorney, visit the Board of Overseers website. You may also download a grievance complaint form here. Maine State Bar Association does not have authority over attorney conduct, licensing, or fee disputes.

How do I report an attorney for wrongdoing?

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.

How do I file a complaint in Maine?

A complaint may be initiated by calling, writing, or visiting the Commission's office. An Electronic Intake Questionnaire Form may be completed, and submitted online. Alternative formats are made available. An Intake Officer will assist you with drafting a complaint once your form has been reviewed.

How do I file a complaint against a business in Maine?

To file a complaint or request mediation, please complete and submit a webform at www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints/complaints_form along with a copy of the contract and any other supporting documents.

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 the most common reason for an attorney to be disciplined?

Professional misconduct is the most common reason for attorney discipline. Lawyers can also be disciplined for conduct in their personal lives.

How do I fight DHHS in Maine?

Welcome to the Ombudsman Website If you have a concern or complaint about how Child Protective Services, DHHS is handling a child's case, you may contact the Ombudsman office. E-mail us at: [email protected] or call 1-866-621-0758 or 207-213-4773.

Who oversees Maine DHHS?

Jeanne LambrewJeanne Lambrew was sworn in as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services on February 5, 2019.

How do I file a complaint against DHHS Maine?

Filing a Civil Rights ComplaintCathy Bustin.11 State House Station.Augusta, ME 04333-0011.207-287-5014.TTY: Maine Relay [email protected].

How do you use implied warranty in maine?

The basic test for possible implied warranty violations is as follows: The item is seriously defective, The consumer did not damage the item, The item is still within its useful life and is not simply worn out.

What is the state of Maine Ein?

01-6000001What is the State of Maine Employer Identification Number? The EIN is 01-6000001.

How do I complain about a company on the Internet?

File a Complaint About Online Purchases Your consumer protection agency. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Your state attorney general. Econsumer.gov, if your purchase was with a foreign retailer.

What is it called when an attorney misrepresented you?

Legal malpractice or legal misrepresentation may occur when you have suffered a loss of potential earnings, an unfair trial, or a claim because your case wasn't thoroughly presented or there was negligence on your attorneys' part.

What is it called when a lawyer doesn't do his job?

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.

How do I file a complaint against an attorney in Arkansas?

Complaints against attorneys may be filed with the Arkansas Judiciary's Office of the Committee on Professional Conduct. Grievance forms are also available on the Arkansas Judiciary website. The office can be reached by calling (501) 376-0313.

How do I file a complaint against an attorney in Nevada?

If you wish to file a complaint, it must be in writing, either by U.S. Mail or via the online complaint form.Submit your complaint via U.S. Mail or fax it to the closest State Bar of Nevada Office of Bar Counsel address listed at the bottom of this section. ... No special form is necessary to file a complaint.More items...

Call us

Our consumer hotline accepts calls between 9 am - 12 noon and 1 pm - 4 pm, Monday – Friday.

Write us

Attorney General's Consumer Information and Mediation Service 6 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333

Maine's Lemon Law

Maine's Lemon Law applies to new vehicles in for repair before reaching 18,000 miles. The vehicle must still be covered by the manufacturer's warranty and be less than 3 years old. Contact the Maine Lemon Law Arbitration Program at [email protected] or call the consumer hotline number above.

What are the rules of professional conduct in Maine?

The professional conduct of every lawyer practicing law in the State of Maine is governed by the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct and the Maine Bar Rules as promulgated by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. The Board of Overseers of the Bar was created by the Court in 1978. The Board consists of six lawyers and three lay members (non-lawyer members of the public). The Board appoints members to three commissions established by the Bar Rules: the Fee Arbitration Commission, the Grievance Commission, and the Professional Ethics Commission. All members of the Board and its commissions serve as volunteers.

What is the Maine Bar Rules?

The Maine Bar Rules require that all attorneys admitted to practice in this State shall submit, upon the request of the client, to the resolution of any fee dispute in accordance with Rule 9. If you have a dispute about a lawyer’s fee, you may ask that your dispute be resolved by the Board of Overseers of the Bar’s Fee Arbitration process.

How to file a complaint against a lawyer?

If you believe that your lawyer has engaged in unethical conduct, download the Board's Grievance Complaint Form Fillable or (PDF). Once you have filled out the form, mail it to the Board’s office to start the process.

How to start an arbitration of fee dispute?

To start the process, download the Board’s form called a Petition for Arbitration of Fee Dispute). When completing the Petition, be sure to include the facts of the dispute and copies of supporting documentation such as bills, receipts, and correspondence relating to the dispute. If you wish to provide evidence by electronic means (audio tapes, etc.) you must also provide a transcript of the recording.

How many lawyers are on the Board of Overseers of the Bar?

The Board of Overseers of the Bar was created by the Court in 1978. The Board consists of six lawyers and three lay members (non-lawyer members of the public). The Board appoints members to three commissions established by the Bar Rules: the Fee Arbitration Commission, the Grievance Commission, and the Professional Ethics Commission.

What does a lawyer do?

A lawyer advises you or anyone else to lie, or lies himself or herself in the course of a case. Lawyers pride themselves on their honesty. The profession does not need those who feel they must resort to deception to conduct their practice.

Is a mistake unethical conduct?

An honest disagreement about how a case should be handled — or should have been handled — does not constitute unethical conduct, even if the outcome of the case is disappointing. A mistake does not necessarily constitute unethical conduct either. If a mistake causes a loss, the client may be able to recover the loss in a civil suit against ...

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 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 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.

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.

What to do after viewing CLE report?

After viewing your CLE report, you are asked to either confirm the accuracy of the CLE report, confirm that you have earned all the credits listed but also have additional credits to supplement your record, report that there are discrepancies with the report, or certify that you are exempt from Maine Bar Rule 5.

Can you self-certify for CLE?

For non-residents who are licensed and practicing in states with mandatory CLE requirements (like New Hampshire) you can self-certify your compliance with CLE requirements. For those in states without mandatory CLE (like Massachusetts and D.C.) you will need to demonstrate compliance with Maine CLE requirements.

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