Defense of Licensed Professionals

If you are a Wisconsin professional with allegations against you that may result in actions against your professional license, including possible suspension or revocation, you need an experienced attorney who distinctly understands how regulatory agencies work. Murphy Desmond lawyers have successfully defended licensed professionals in a wide range of matters. 

Whether you are dealing with a regulatory complaint, a licensing investigation, or criminal charges, your livelihood and your professional reputation could be at risk. Early legal 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 chances that serious formal actions will be taken against your license.

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

Murphy Desmond’s professional licensing attorneys represent physicians, nurses, chiropractors, pharmacists, therapists, lawyers, educators, real estate professionals, appraisers, social workers, psychologists, and other licensed professionals in a wide range of license defense matters. (See our exhaustive list below.) 

Contact Murphy Desmond as soon as possible, or call us at 608.257.7181 if you are concerned about your professional license.

Experience in defending licensed professionals

Defending licensed professionals is a unique area of law. Clients are best served when their lawyers understand how regulatory agencies work and have experience in defending professional licenses. Our attorneys are well-versed in handling matters concerning licensing complaints and investigations, license reinstatement, hearings, and disciplinary orders.

In cases that involve difficulties obtaining an initial license to practice, Murphy Desmond’s professional license defense lawyers assist clients with concerns such as a prior criminal history, pending charges, academic and non-academic discipline, and issues of alcohol or substance abuse. Our attorneys regularly and successfully represent licensed professionals before the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and its affiliated examining boards. We represent practicing attorneys facing client complaints before the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation, and we have assisted many law license applicants who encounter difficulties obtaining an initial license to practice through the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners. Our attorneys develop appropriate strategies to address claims of unprofessional or unethical conduct and negligence, and we work to mitigate the impact of those claims. Additionally, we help navigate consequences of licensing-related complaints as it relates to our clients’ employment.

Overcoming obstacles in obtaining licensure

For some professionals, there are 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 has assisted license applicants -- including medical school, nursing school and law school graduates -- in successfully navigating the initial licensing process.

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

Please contact us at 608.257.7181 to discuss your situation.

Defending against disciplinary actions by regulatory agencies

Murphy Desmond 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) and Board of Bar Examiners (BBE)
*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 Hygienists - Dentistry Examining Board
*Designers - Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors
*Dietitians - Dietitians Affiliated Credentialing Board
*Educators and School Administrators – Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
*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)
*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
*Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board
*Marriage and Family Therapists - Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board
*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 Assistants - Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board
*Podiatrists - Podiatrists Affiliated Credentialing Board
*Professional Counselors - Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining 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
*Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board
*Veterinarians (Board Veterinarians) - Veterinary Examining Board

If your Wisconsin professional license is at risk or you are facing challenges in obtaining a license, contact the lawyers at Murphy Desmond at 608.257.7181 as soon as possible. Our professional license defense lawyers are based in our Madison office but can assist clients throughout Wisconsin.