Professional License Defense

Professional License Defense

If you are a physician, healthcare practitioner or other licensed professional whose license may be in jeopardy, we encourage you to immediately consult with an attorney. You have worked your entire life to acquire the credentials necessary for your career, and an experienced attorney familiar with professional license defense can help you protect those important credentials.

Frances Cullen, P.C. can help answer your questions and minimize the risk to your license. Here are some ways we can help:

• An investigatory proceeding is stressful and time-consuming. We make this process less traumatic by interacting with the investigatory board on you behalf and helping you prepare your defense while you concentrate on your livelihood.

• Simply denying wrongdoing is usually not enough for an investigator to close an investigation. We can help you develop your theory of the case and present that evidence to the investigator or licensing board to help convince them that there is no merit to a complaint.

• When involved in an investigation, it is important that you be both cooperative and defensive. There is a difference between complying and being cooperative with a Board investigation and providing the board with evidence or testimony that can later be used against you. We can help you walk this fine line.

• Licensing boards and administrative agencies have unique rules and procedures, so it is imperative that you choose an attorney with experience in handling cases similar to yours. Sometimes what seems like a simple matter increases in complexity, and you need to be represented by an attorney who is familiar with the entire process, including interviews, hearings, settlement conferences, appeals and mediation.

• Often the best opportunity to resolve a case in your favor comes at the investigative stage. We can assist you in crafting a letter to the licensing board that addresses their concerns and may resolve the case without the need to proceed with the filing of a formal complaint. This also may be the time to plant the seed for a defense or present mitigating evidence. Other times, a settlement proposal may lead to a stipulated agreement in a case that would normally go to a costly and time-consuming hearing.

Frances Cullen, P.C. understands that any allegation of professional misconduct has potentially serious consequences. We are committed to giving our clients quality and individualized representation throughout the entire investigatory process and will work diligently for your defense.

Malpractice and Other Challenges

Medical malpractice claims often trigger a state licensing board investigation. Some malpractice insurance policies provide coverage for independent legal counsel to handle matters relative to the professional license defense case. In these situations, a physician or other licensed professional will want an attorney with the unique knowledge of board matters, policies and procedures.

Physicians also should seek legal counsel when faced with a potential action by a hospital peer review committee, especially during the early stages. The physician should obtain a complete copy of the relevant medical file, thoroughly discuss the matter with their attorney and be prepared for the peer review hearing.

Criminal Actions Affecting Licensure

An arrest or accusation of criminal action can have a serious impact on a professional license. It is therefore advisable to seek guidance from an attorney who knows the potential consequences and can properly advise you on the best manner in which to report or respond to an arrest or charge of criminal conduct.

Only an experienced healthcare licensing attorney can guide a professional in assessing the risks and consequences of a criminal plea and its potential impact on the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) or possible exclusion from providing any federally funded services by the Office of Inspector General (OIG Exclusion).

Potential Impact of Licensing Actions

In defending a professional license, great care should be taken to consider the impact of a licensing board action on one's professional practice. A board disciplinary action will trigger licensing actions in other states and may prompt a loss of insurance provider contracts.

Helpful Legal Experience

As an experienced healthcare firm, Frances Cullen, P.C. is well qualified to provide representation in all of these legal matters. We provide physicians, healthcare professionals, and other licensedprofessionals with sound advice and are forceful advocates when our clients are faced with potential licensing actions by a state licensing board, hospital peer review committee or the agencies regulating Medicare or Medicaid.

If you are a professional facing licensing action, please contact Frances Cullen P.C. at your earliest opportunity.

From our offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Frances Cullen, P.C. serves clients throughout the region, including Albany, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Savannah, Cobb County, DeKalb County, Fulton County, Athens-Clark County, Bibb County, Chatham County, Columbia County, Columbus County, Muscogee County, Doherty County, Forsyth County, and Gwinnett County.

Frances Cullen, P.C.

The Candler Building
127 Peachtree Street, Suite 905
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-523-2044
Fax: 404-523-1684
E-mail

From her offices in Atlanta, Georgia, attorney Fran Cullen serves clients throughout the region, including Albany, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Savannah, Cobb County, DeKalb County, Fulton County, Athens-Clark County, Bibb County, Chatham County, Columbia County, Columbus County, Muscogee County, Doherty County, Forsyth County, and Gwinnett County.