how to search for a disclinnary complaint against attorney indiana

by Bernie Kuhn 8 min read

By contacting the office of the Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court, you can find out whether a lawyer's law license is active and in good standing, whether there are any formal disciplinary charges pending, and whether he or she has been disciplined in the past. To reach the office of the Clerk, call 317-232-1930. Footer

Full Answer

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

Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission 251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 1650 Indianapolis, IN 46204. A valid complaint must include: Your name, current address, and contact information in the form of telephone and email (if you have one). The name of the attorney.

When did the Indiana Supreme Court disciplinary commission file a complaint?

It's always a good idea to try to work things out with your lawyer informally. If that doesn't work, you may file a grievance with the Disciplinary Commission within the Indiana courts system. Visit the Indiana Disciplinary Commission’s website to learn about what types of violations attorneys can be disciplined for, and how to file complaints. Note that the Disciplinary Commission does …

What happens after a disciplinary complaint is filed?

Oct 19, 2021 · Investigating and prosecuting claims of misconduct against Indiana lawyers and protecting lawyers against unwarranted claims of misconduct ... Attorney discipline decisions. Scroll for more. Previous Slide ︎ Next Slide ︎. Complaint & discipline process. Learn what to expect if you file a complaint. Learn More. Getting information about ...

What does the Indiana Disciplinary Commission do?

The rule creates, organizes, and empowers the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission and its staff. It also provides a procedure for filing grievances against attorneys, a system for the investigation of grievances, and a procedure for resolution should a grievance evolve into a formal complaint for disciplinary action against an attorney.

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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 ...

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

What is the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission? The Disciplinary Commission is an agency of the Indiana Supreme Court. It is responsible for investigating and prosecuting claims of misconduct against lawyers licensed to practice law in Indiana and protecting lawyers against unwarranted claims of misconduct.

How do you write a complaint letter about a lawyer?

Formal complaint against [name of lawyer or law firm] describe what the lawyer had been hired to do for you [for example dealing with the sale or purchase of a house] • say when this was [give the date or dates when the problem occurred]. My complaint is that [list what you think went wrong or wasn't done properly.

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

What constitutes the unauthorized practice of law in Indiana?

(b) The action against any person, firm, association or corporation, shall be brought by verified petition, in the name of the state of Indiana, on the relation of the authorized person or association or committee, and shall charge specifically the acts constituting the unauthorized practice.

WHO issues law licenses in Indiana?

Indiana Legal Services, Inc.

What type of jurisdiction does the Indiana Supreme Court have over Attorney admission and discipline?

The Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to admit attorneys to practice in Indiana. Admission to practice law by the Court pursuant to Rule 21 shall entitle attorneys to practice in any of the courts of this state.

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 address a letter to an attorney?

Address an attorney as "Mr." or "Ms." in most contexts. In the salutation for a letter or email, address an attorney the same way you would any other respected professional- using "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their surname. Generally, this is the best way to address an attorney if you've never spoken to them before.Jul 8, 2021

How do you write a letter asking for a lawyer?

A letter to the lawyer should be addressed in a respected and professional manner. At the Lawyer's address, you should include his/her full name, postal and physical address. As a matter of salutation address a lawyer as “Mr.” or “Ms.” followed by His or her surname.Oct 12, 2021

File a complaint against an attorney

It's always a good idea to try to work things out with your lawyer informally. If that doesn't work, you may file a grievance with the Disciplinary Commission within the Indiana courts system. Visit the Indiana Disciplinary Commission’s website to learn about what types of violations attorneys can be disciplined for, and how to file complaints.

Get compensation for lawyer dishonesty

If you suffered financial loss as a result of lawyer dishonesty, you may be qualified to file an application with the Clients’ Financial Assistance Fund of the Indiana State Bar Association.

Report the unauthorized practice of law

It is unlawful to provide legal services to Indiana residents and/or on Indiana legal matters without being authorized to practice law.

Disciplinary Commission

Investigating and prosecuting claims of misconduct against Indiana lawyers and protecting lawyers against unwarranted claims of misconduct

Meiring Named Disciplinary Commission Executive Director

The Indiana Supreme Court has named Adrienne L. Meiring as the Disciplinary Commission Executive Director. Ms. Meiring currently serves as counsel for the Court’s Judicial Nominating/Qualifications Commission.

Commission Executive Director retiring

After an esteemed 40-year legal career, Disciplinary Commission Executive Director Mike Witte is retiring in February.

Statement on race and equity

The Disciplinary Commission has issued a statement on race and equity.

Contact Information

Indiana Supreme Court#N#Disciplinary Commission#N#251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 1650#N#Indianapolis, IN 46204

What should I do when choosing an attorney?

It’s always awkward to ask, “So, when’s the last time you were suspended from practice?”

Look up the attorney on the state bar association website

Each state has its own bar association that grants licenses to attorneys. These associations monitor and discipline lawyers, suspending or disbarring those who violate the code of ethics for that specific state.

Google online reviews and complaints

When picking an attorney for any matter, at the very least you should search for reviews online and see what others have said.

Why was a Northern Indiana lawyer suspended?

A northern Indiana lawyer who two years ago was suspended and jailed for forging a judge’s signature on a phony divorce order and attempting to coopt a deputy prosecutor’s identity has resigned from the practice of law rather than face a subsequent attorney discipline complaint.

How long is Curtis Hill suspended?

Finding Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill guilty of misdemeanor battery and two related violations of the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, the Indiana Supreme Court has ordered him to serve a 30-day suspension.

When will Curtis Hill be reinstated?

Suspended Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill will be reinstated to the practice of law June 17, and he’s said he’s using the time in the interim to “reflect on lessons learned.” His chief deputy, Aaron Negangard, is overseeing the office while Hill serves his suspension, but a lawsuit filed May 21 challenges Hill’s authority to make that appointment.

Who is the attorney who resigned from the Indiana bar?

A Merrillville attorney who was facing a disciplinary action for allegedly engaging in a scheme to falsify a notice that the court’s electronic filing system had malfunctioned to cover up his failure to timely submit a filing has resigned from the Indiana bar.

Has the Indiana Court of Appeals cut off the tap?

The Indiana Court of Appeals has cut off the tap for a suspended attorney who it says has acted as a broken faucet of frivolous filings for far too long concerning injuries he claimed to sustain after falling at Indiana University, despite an earlier dismissal from the court.

How long was Hamilton County magistrate suspended?

A former Hamilton County magistrate who was banned from the bench and put on disciplinary probation after being convicted in a drug sting has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for 180 days without automatic reinstatement.

Who is Adrienne Meiring?

Adrienne Meiring, counsel for the Indiana Supreme Court’s Judicial Nominating/Qualifications Commission , has been named the executive director of the Disciplinary Commission. Her transition will begin immediately and a Supreme Court order will name her to the position.

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