Defense of Licensed Professionals

When your professional license is at risk, seek counsel immediately.

If you are a professional with allegations against you that may result in suspension or revocation of your professional license, you need an experienced attorney who distinctly understands how regulatory agencies work. Murphy Desmond has some of the top lawyers in Wisconsin with solid backgrounds in successfully defending licensed professionals. 

Whether you are dealing with a regulatory complaint, a licensing and reputation investigation, or criminal allegations not specifically related to your career, your livelihood and your professional reputation could be at risk. Early intervention can increase the possibility of obtaining a favorable resolution and decrease legal costs. Likewise, a delay in hiring a well-qualified attorney may limit the defenses available to you and increase the chances that serious formal actions will be taken against your license.

Even if there is only a possibility of allegations arising that could threaten your license, it is wise to consult an attorney. Being proactive is the best defense against becoming involved in a lengthy investigation that can have damaging consequences for your career and well being.

Our professional license defense lawyers represent doctors, nurses, chiropractors, pharmacists, lawyers, nursing home administrators, realtors, brokers, appraisers and other licensed professionals in defense matters. (See our exhaustive list below.) 

Contact Murphy Desmond as soon as possible, or call us at 608.257.7181.

Wisconsin defense attorneys for licensed professionals

Defending licensed professionals is a unique area of law. Clients are best served when their lawyers have knowledge of how regulatory agencies work and experience in defending professional licensure.

Attorney Hal Harlowe is a former three-term District Attorney of Dane County, which uniquely qualifies him to handle even the most challenging cases facing licensed professionals. He served as the first prosecuting attorney at the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing (now called the Department of Safety and Professional Services). While there, he established procedures for investigating and prosecuting licensed professionals that are still in effect today. Later, he was appointed Chairperson of the Governor's Task Force on the Discipline of Licensed Professionals and co-authored the procedures for handling complaints against physicians and other professionals in Wisconsin. His first-hand knowledge of the process allows him to develop appropriate and successful defense strategies for licensed professionals.

Attorney Mario Mendoza's law practice focuses primarily on assisting licensed professionals, including:  physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors, real estate brokers, real estate appraisers, real estate salespersons and various other health care and business professionals. He is well versed in handling matters concerning licensing complaints and investigations, license reinstatement, hearings, and disciplinary orders. In cases involving difficulties obtaining an initial license, Mendoza regularly assists clients in addressing concerns such as a prior criminal history, academic and non-academic discipline, and issues of alcohol or substance abuse. He regularly and successfully represents licensed professionals before the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and its affiliated examining boards. He also represents practicing attorneys facing client complaints before the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation, and has assisted many law license applicants who encounter difficulties obtaining an initial license to practice. Mendoza is experienced in developing strategies to resolve claims of unprofessional or unethical conduct and negligence, or mitigate their impact. Additionally, he has successfully helped clients navigate the consequences of licensing-related complaints on employment.

Attorney Bruce Rosen has successfully represented lawyers, doctors, nurses, other medical professionals, realtors, and many other licensed professionals in all licensing matters and before licensing bodies. He has 19 years of experience as an Investigator and Special Investigator for the Office of Lawyer Regulation (appointed by Chief Justice Abrahamson). His hands-on regulatory experience brings valuable insight in helping his professional clients, whether they have hit roadblocks in attaining a license or are working to keep their license following allegations of misconduct. 

Defending obstacles in obtaining licensure

For some professionals, there can be obstacles to obtaining a license. Criminal matters earlier in life or past alcohol/substance abuse issues can stand in the way of obtaining a professional license. Murphy Desmond's professional license defense attorneys have assisted applicants, including medical school and law school graduates, in successfully navigating the initial licensing process.

In addition to complaints and license denials, our attorneys can assist you with license applications, employment contracts, and addressing credentialing matters.

Please contact us at 608.257.7181 to discuss your situation.

Defense against disciplinary actions by regulatory agencies

Murphy Desmond’s lawyers can defend professionals against investigations and disciplinary actions initiated by regulatory agencies including:

Accountants - Accounting Examining Board
Acupuncturists - Department of Regulation and Licensing
Architects - Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers Designers & Land Surveyors
Athletic Trainers - Athletic Trainers Affiliated Credentialing Board
Attorneys - Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR)
Auctioneers - Auctioneers Board
Audiologists - Hearing and Speech Examining Board
Barbers - Barbering & Cosmetology Examining Board
Chiropractors - Chiropractic Examining Board
Counselors - Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors
Dentists, & Dental Hygienist - Dentistry Examining Board
Designers - Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors
Dietitians - Dietitians Affiliated Credentialing Board
Engineers - Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors
Funeral Directors - Funeral Directors Examining Board
Geologists - Examining Board of Professional Geologists, Hydrologists, and Soil Scientists
Hearing Aid Instrument Specialists - Hearing and Speech Examining Board
Insurance Brokers - Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI)
Investment Advisors - Division of Securities/Office of Financial Institutions
Landscape Architects - Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers & Land Surveyors
Land Surveyors - Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors
Marriage and Family Therapists - Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors
Nurses - Board of Nursing
Nursing Home Administrators - Nursing Home Administrators Examining Board
Occupational Therapists - Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board
Optometrists - Optometry Examining Board
Pharmacists - Pharmacy Examining Board
Physical Therapists - Physical Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board
Physicians - Medical Examining Board
Physician Assistant - Medical Examining Board
Podiatrists - Podiatrists Affiliated Credentialing Board
Psychologists - Psychology Examining Board
Psychotherapists - Psychology Examining Board or Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, Professional Counselors
Real Estate Appraisers - Real Estate Appraisers Board and the Department of Regulation and Licensing
Real Estate Brokers - Real Estate Board and the Department of Regulation and Licensing
Respiratory Care Practitioner - Medical Examining Board
Speech and Language Pathologists - Hearing and Speech Examining Board
Securities Brokers-Dealers - Division of Securities/Office of Financial Institutions
Social Workers, Professional Counselors - Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors
Veterinarians - Veterinary Examining Board

If your professional license is at risk, contact the professional license defense lawyers at Murphy Desmond at 608.257.7181 as soon as possible.

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