
After years spent training and learning, all of your hard work is finally paying off. You have likely undergone an extremely rigorous educational program, such as medical school or law school, and have passed your licensing exams to receive your official professional license. However, being accused of a crime can threaten your license, and when this happens, a Marion professional license defense lawyer is here to help.
At Edwards Law, PLLC, we have been helping professionals like yourself protect their licenses and livelihoods for over a decade. We are here to take the necessary steps to review your case and take the appropriate actions against the allegations you are facing. Whether you are a practicing physician at Mission Hospital McDowell or a teacher at Marion Elementary, you deserve the protection of an attorney, and we are here to safeguard your career and your future.
Doug Edwards founded Edwards Law, PLLC with a commitment to vigorous advocacy for clients facing the highest-stakes legal challenges. Before entering private practice, he served as an Assistant District Attorney for more than 10 years, giving him a first-hand understanding of how government agencies build cases and pursue disciplinary actions.
He holds board certification as a Specialist in State Criminal Law from the North Carolina State Bar, a distinction held by a small fraction of attorneys in the state. Whether you are facing a licensing board investigation, an administrative hearing, or need to appeal an adverse board decision, our team at Edwards Law, PLLC, brings the experience necessary to build a strong defense on your behalf.
We serve licensed professionals throughout McDowell County and Western North Carolina, including those working at Mission Hospital McDowell, McDowell Technical Community College, and practices across the region.
A professional license board complaint is a formal allegation submitted to your state licensing board claiming that you have violated the laws, rules, or ethical standards governing your profession. Complaints can come from patients, employers, colleagues, law enforcement, or the board itself following a review of public records.
Once a complaint is received, the board typically conducts a preliminary investigation to determine whether the allegations have merit. If the board decides to proceed, it may initiate a formal disciplinary proceeding under N.C.G.S. Chapter 150B. You have the right to notice of the allegations, the right to an administrative hearing, the right to be represented by counsel, and the right to appeal an adverse decision to the superior court under N.C.G.S. § 150B-43.
The disciplinary penalties a board can impose range from a letter of reprimand or a fine to license suspension, probation, or full revocation. In some cases, boards can also impose conditions on practice, require retraining or rehabilitation, or report the action to the National Practitioner Data Bank, which has lasting consequences for healthcare professionals seeking privileges at hospitals or other facilities.
If you receive a letter or notice from a professional licensing board, the single most important step you can take is to hire a defense attorney before you respond. Anything you say in your initial written response can and will be used as evidence in subsequent disciplinary proceedings. Many professionals unintentionally harm their own cases by responding without legal guidance.
At Edwards Law, PLLC, we review the complaint, identify any procedural defects in the investigation, and craft a strategic response that protects your interests. We negotiate with board investigators and, if necessary, represent you at an administrative hearing before the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings or the board’s own hearing panel.
Nearly 29% of the United States workforce consists of individuals who are required to hold certain professional licenses. At Edwards Law, PLLC, our professional license defense lawyers are here to defend you against any allegations that may place your professional license at risk. Common allegations can include embezzlement, fraud, malpractice, certain ethics violations, breach of fiduciary duty, and professional misconduct.
The most common professionals we can help include the following:
If you are facing a complaint or investigation by your professional licensing board, it is vital that you hire a professional license defense lawyer as soon as possible. At Edwards Law, PLLC, we understand how stressful a situation this can be and are here to protect your license and future. Any kind of investigation led by a professional board can be overwhelming, and we are here to make a difference in your case. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.