Pennsylvania

Professional License Defense Lawyer

Having a professional license means a lot in Pennsylvania. It takes education, training, and testing to become a doctor, nurse, architect, teacher, therapist, or pilot. Given how hard you worked, you don’t want your livelihood threatened by criminal allegations.

Whether someone accuses you of unethical behavior or you are arrested, you need to contact a professional license defense attorney as soon as possible. Depending on the facts and your profession, you may have to fight the charges in criminal court and during an administrative process. At Skinner Law Firm, a Chester County defense attorney is here to help with both.

Attorney Michael Skinner knows how important it is to protect your professional license and reputation. Let us fight to spare you from a criminal conviction, a license suspension, or revocation. Call (610) 436-1410 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation.

Professional License Defense We Handle

Skinner Law Firm protects professionals in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery County who are charged or being investigated by their professional governing body.

  • Doctors: The Board of Medicine governs doctors, physician assistants, radiology technicians, perfusionists, nurse-midwives, respiratory therapists, acupuncturists, eastern medicine practitioners, athletic trainers, and behavioral specialists.
  • Nurses: The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing governs registered nurses, practical nurses, certified registered nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, dietitian-nutritionists, and graduate nurses.
  • Dentists: The State Board of Dentistry governs dentists, dental hygienists, and specific dental assistants are governed by the State Board of Dentistry.
  • Pharmacists: The Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy governs pharmacists.
  • Accountants: The State Board of Accountancy governs public accountants and certified public accountants (CPAs).
  • Lawyers: The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania governs attorneys.
  • Real Estate Agents: The Real Estate Commission governs real estate brokers and salespeople, cemetery brokers, cemetery salespeople, campground membership salespeople, time-share salespeople, builder-owner salespeople, or rental listing referral agents.

Do You Have Another Professional License?

You may also have a Pennsylvania professional license as a:

  • Chiropractor
  • Massage Therapist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Optometrist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker
  • Therapist or Counselor
  • Veterinarian
  • Teacher
  • Pilot
  • Commercial truck driver (CDL Holder)
  • Police officer
  • Firefighter
  • EMT
  • Engineer
  • Geologist
  • Architect
  • Landscape Architect
  • Insurance Agent
  • Funeral Director
  • Cosmetologist

If your professional license is at stake because of criminal conduct, call us right away. Many professional boards conduct disciplinary proceedings in Harrisburg. Regardless where you live or practice in the Commonwealth, we can represent you with a strong focus on retaining your license and livelihood.

Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs

The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs handles disciplinary issues for 29 professional and occupational licensing bodies in the Commonwealth and has offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton. The Bureau’s responsibilities include receiving and investigating complaints and sanctioning professionals who violate their profession’s rules and regulations.

If you are licensed by one of the 29 boards or commissions, and the Bureau receives a complaint, one of its investigators will reach out to you. Or you might receive a letter instead. When you become aware of a complaint and an investigation, call an attorney about license defense right away.

our awards & memberships

  • A professional non-profit dedicated to the improvement of the criminal defense bar, and to providing valuable information to the public about drunk driving laws. Members of the NCDD are considered the most experienced DUI defense attorneys in the United States and Canada.

  • The preeminent organization in the United States. NACDL serves as a leader in identifying and reforming flaws in the criminal justice system, and addressing systemic racism, and ensuring that the criminal defense bar is fully equipped to serve all accused persons at the highest level.

  • PACDL is the premier network of the best defense attorneys in PA with a mission to educate, advocate, and inspire by providing support for criminal defense lawyers, promoting effective competence, leveling the playing field, and protecting freedoms.

  • The Pennsylvania Bar Association promotes and protects the legal profession, the rights of Pennsylvania citizens and access to justice for all. Membership is open to any lawyer in good standing who is licensed by the Bar of Pennsylvania.

  • The American Bar Association is one of the world’s largest voluntary professional organizations, with over 400,000 members and more than 3,500 entities. Their mission is to serve its members, the legal profession, and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession.

  • The CCBA promotes professionalism, inclusion, and collegiality within the Chester County legal profession, and enhances the quality of life of its members and the practice of law within the community.

  • The NORML Legal Committee (NLC) is composed of attorneys committed to the overall goals of NORML. NLC attorneys meet each year to discuss emerging legal issues related to defense of marijuana consumers and to support each other in the pursuit of justice.

  • The American Institute’s Criminal Law Division is an impartial third-party rating service recognizing the excellence of fellow practitioners. To help clients across the United States make educated decisions, we compile an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State. Our “10 Best” is a prestigious honor extended only to those who have reached the top of their profession while doing so with the client’s satisfaction being of paramount importance.

  • The American Institute’s DUI/DWI Division recognizes the excellence of practitioners in the field of DUI/DWI defense. We compile an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State for potential clients to utilize. We look for Attorneys that have achieved unparalleled success but most importantly have done so for the benefit of their client. Very few Attorneys can do so and our organization recognizes this significant achievement.

  • Attorney Michael Skinner has been consistently recognized as among the best lawyers in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. Attorneys are nominated via peer balloting, then vetted through our editorial process in various fields of practice.

  • The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 is an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state. Membership is extended only to the most qualified attorneys who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile. Each of our distinguished members possesses the knowledge, skill, experience, and success held by only the best and finest lawyers in America.

  • The Super Lawyers list recognizes no more than 5 percent of attorneys in each state. The Rising Stars further distinguishes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys, and to be eligible, a Rising Stars candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Administrative Discipline for Professionals

Some behaviors are considered unethical and unbecoming of a profession, even if they are not illegal. For example, many professions’ ethical standards prohibit sexual relationships between licensees and their clients or patients. Dating someone is not a crime, but it may be inappropriate because of an ongoing professional relationship.

Allegations of criminal conduct can have severe consequences for a licensed professional, even when the allegations are unrelated to your work. Call us right away if you are facing charges for:

Criminal Convictions Can Impact Your License

Your behavior outside of work can impact your license and ability to do your job. If you are worried about whether allegations or an arrest could be a problem, consider what will show on a background check.

A criminal background check can show:

  • Arrests that did not lead to charges
  • Criminal charges that did not result in a conviction
  • Summary offenses
  • Misdemeanor and criminal convictions
  • Pending charges
  • Active warrants

For many employment situations, background checks go back seven years. But there are no laws in Pennsylvania that stop an employer from looking back further.

Once you have a criminal record – through an arrest, charges, or a conviction – it can impact your current license and any future professional licensure. Most professional boards require you to inform them of a criminal conviction – like a DUI, Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD), or Probation Without Verdict (PWOV) – within 30 days.

Defending Professionals Against Charges in PA

You may wonder whether you need an attorney when dealing with allegations of a crime, especially a misdemeanor. We highly recommend you give us a call. A professional license attorney’s cost is nothing compared to losing your license because you did not effectively defend yourself.

At Skinner Law Firm, we can defend you on both fronts: In criminal court and during the administrative process. We understand how criminal charges and your professional license intersect. We will thoroughly investigate the claims against you, gather evidence, and use what we know to obtain the best possible outcome in both situations.

The Administrative Disciplinary Process

The administrative process begins with a complaint made against you. Anyone can file a complaint with the Bureau, such as a client, patient, or colleague.

Once the Bureau receives the complaint, it is their responsibility to review the complaint and determine whether an investigation should move forward. If they decide there may have been a violation or need more information, they send the Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation a complaint. Here, an investigator is assigned to gather information and determine whether disciplinary charges should be filed.

Investigation

An investigator may contact you, even showing up at your office unannounced. You are not required to answer their questions. We recommend you politely decline an interview and contact a professional license defense attorney.

After finishing their investigation, the investigator forwards their report to the Professional Compliance Office, which works with a prosecuting attorney to decide charges.

If they determine charges are appropriate, you will receive an Order to Show Cause. This outlines the allegations against you and requires you to appear before your profession’s governing body. If you have not contacted a lawyer yet, now is the time to do so. You have 30 days to file an Answer to the Order to Show Cause.

Disciplinary Hearing

The next step is a hearing, which is like a criminal trial in some ways. There will be witnesses, evidence, and a formal decision. But there is a much lower burden of proof than a trial. We highly recommend you have a lawyer gather and present evidence on your behalf during an administrative hearing.

Consent Agreement and Order

Another option is negotiating a Consent Agreement and Order, which is like a settlement or plea bargain. With the help of an attorney, you and the prosecuting attorney agree to the facts and a penalty, which you believe will be acceptable to the board or commission. We then present the Consent Agreement and Order to be approved by the licensing board or commission.

Whether you negotiate a Consent Agreement or go through a hearing and receive a Final Adjudication, these disciplinary actions become a permanent part of the public record.

Each Licensing Body Is Unique

Though the administrative process follows the same general process, each licensing board or commission has its own rules and procedures. Each professional has its regulations, and each licensing body has its criteria for determining when and how you can be sanctioned. The process is often confusing, even for seasoned professionals, so it is helpful to hire a Chester County professional license attorney.

Mike Skinner is an excellent attorney.

He was able to get me a lesser sentence and always treated me with respect throughout.

5 Stars Review 5

12-08-2019

I am eternally grateful

Mike Skinner resolved this case in the best way possible, and I am eternally grateful for his advice and counsel.

4 Stars Review 4

11-30-2019

Mike is by far the best...

His calm presence is also very reassuring for his clients. Highly recommend choosing him.

5 Stars Review 5

05-21-2019

Hire him. Don't wait.

I don’t think it is possible for a better outcome than what was achieved by Michael J Skinner.

5 Stars Review 5

12-14-2017

He’s worth every penny.

If you work with him, he will get you what you want/deserve.

5 Stars Review 5

06-13-2018

He was able to have everything...

His diligence and professionalism are unmatched making it a pleasure to have been a client.

5 Stars Review 5

12-19-2018

He listened and told me where...

Michael was able to give me clear guidance on my legal options and explained each step of the process.

5 Stars Review 5

11-15-2019

Mike is the guy to call!

A top-notch attorney in West Chester.

5 Stars Review 5

10-10-2019

More than exceptional

He was very negotiable and understanding of my circumstances.

5 Stars Review 5

11-14-2018

Gave me realistic advice.

He was able to reduce my son’s sentence from a potentially harsh fine, loss of driving privileges or even jail time, down to a few community service hours.

5 Stars Review 5

10-11-2018

I’m very happy with Mike Skinner’s...

I was a little nervous about everything and just 5 minutes of talking with Mike, I felt at ease.

5 Stars Review 5

12-18-2018

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5 Stars Review 5

11-29-2019

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11-26-2019

Micheal and his firm are top...

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5 Stars Review 5

12-10-2018

Placed into the ARD program.

Michael and Nichole made me feel comfortable as you truly feel that you are discussing your problem with friends.

5 Stars Review 5

11-15-2018

Thank you, Mr. Skinner

Michael Skinner is an excellent lawyer that knows your rights, and he will indeed fight for you.

5 Stars Review 5

12-04-2018

I will be forever indebted to...

I am thankful I found and chose Michael Skinner.

5 Stars Review 5

05-17-2019

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5 Stars Review 5

09-10-2019

Thank you, Skinner Law!

I went to Skinner after researching all the law firms in the area and without a doubt would go to him for everything.

5 Stars Review 5

05-15-2019

Michael had listened intently

I would highly recommend him to anyone facing charges or violations in Chester County.

5 Stars Review 5

08-16-2019

Always available

Anyone faced with a DUI charge needs Mike Skinner.

5 Stars Review 5

12-17-2018

Recommend him 110 %

Working with Mr. Skinner has been a pleasure.

5 Stars Review 5

12-19-2018

I am grateful he helped me.

Extensive experience with defending DUI’s and I saw this confidence in the courtroom.

5 Stars Review 5

12-17-2018

Has a lot of knowledge and...

Mr Skinner always kept us updated about the case and was prompt with his responses.

5 Stars Review 5

12-13-2018

Best lawyer in Delaware County

He was extremely helpful and knowledgeable.

5 Stars Review 5

06-14-2018

A masterful defense lawyer

Michael Skinner and his staff made me completely comfortable and confident

5 Stars Review 5

07-11-2019

I would highly recommend him.

I was nervous regarding my situation, but after a brief conversation describing my charges and the delicacy of my situation, Michael assured me he could easily handle this case.

5 Stars Review 5

11-23-2019

I am beyond grateful.

Going above and beyond for their clients is an understatement.

5 Stars Review 5

12-20-2018

Professional and Understanding

He is very professional and understanding of each person’s needs.

5 Stars Review 5

05-19-2019

Mike Skinner in the best.

He is very nice and will work with to help get you the best possible outcome.

5 Stars Review 5

07-08-2018

There for me every step of...

From day one I felt comfortable with him and confident that he would help me get the best outcome available.

5 Stars Review 5

12-19-2018

Average 4.96774193548 out of 5 rating based on 31 Reviews
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Potential Disciplinary Actions

Every professional governing body decides on appropriate sanctions for its licensees. Depending on what the board or commission finds to be accurate, you could face:

  • Public censure
  • Fines
  • Probation
  • License suspension
  • License revocation

Given the potential ramifications of the disciplinary process, it is essential to work with an attorney who can clear up any misunderstandings, seek to prove your innocence, or fight to mitigate the consequences of your conduct.

At Skinner Law Firm, we understand mistakes happen. You can experience a lapse in judgment. When that happens, we are here to protect your license. We can work with the governing body to obtain an outcome that involves fair discipline yet lets you continue your career.

Contact a Professional License Defense Attorney In Pennsylvania

A lot is at stake when you are charged with a crime or accused of a professional violation. Whether or not you face criminal fines and imprisonment, you have to worry about losing your license to do your job. You must do what you can to protect your license and professional reputation as soon as possible. Call Michael J. Skinner of Skinner Law Firm to review your situation.

With offices in West Chester, Michael has decades of legal experience, assists professionals throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, and can help you fight the allegations.

Use our online form or call (610) 436-1410 to request a confidential consultation.