Nevada Paralegal Association 2012 Annual Seminar
ViewHow to File a Complaint Against an Attorney
If you wish to file a complaint it must be in writing. It may be sent via U.S. Mail or fax to the closest State Bar of Nevada Office of Bar Counsel address listed at the bottom of this section or you may file your complaint online.
No special form is necessary to file a complaint. However, for your convenience, an online complaint form has been prepared to assist you should you wish to use it.
All correspondence from the State Bar will be in writing via US Mail. If you send attachments with your online submission, you should confirm that they were received. You may be required to re-send attachments that are too large or that cannot be opened in hard copy via US Mail.
The Office of Bar Counsel usually completes the initial review of all complaints within ten business days of receipt.
Your correspondence should contain at least the following information:
- Name of the attorney.
- A brief description of the nature of the case the attorney was engaged to handle.
- A chronological review of events, actions, or conversations between you and the named attorney which led you to conclude that the attorney's actions are improper.
- Copies of letters or documents which serve as material evidence of the allegations you have raised against the attorney.
- The names, addresses and phone numbers of those persons who have direct knowledge of the allegations you have raised.
- An acknowledgment of whether you have attempted to first resolve this matter by contacting the attorney directly.
- Your contact information: name, address, and telephone number.
Once we have received your complaint we will review it to determine if there is an issue under the Rules of Professional Conduct. If more information is needed you will be notified. If you have raised an issue under the Rules of Professional Conduct, we will forward a letter to the attorney and direct him or her to respond to our office in writing within ten (10) business days with an explanation. Based on the attorney's response, we will then determine what further investigation might be necessary.
If it is determined that your complaint is basically a fee dispute, we will forward the forms which are utilized for the filing of a complaint with the Fee Dispute Arbitration Committee.
The investigation and review process can take as little as one month or as long as six months or more. You will be kept informed of the status of the matter as it progresses. You should recognize, however, that the Disciplinary Board cannot and does not give legal advice, does not have jurisdiction over damage or malpractice claims against attorneys and cannot alter or affect in any way the outcome of private legal matters in court. If you need additional advice on your case, you must obtain the assistance of your own attorney.
In Southern Nevada please contact: State Bar of Nevada Office of Bar Counsel 600 E Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89104 TEL (702) 382-2200 or (800) 254-2797 FAX (702) 382-8747 In Northern Nevada please contact: State Bar of Nevada Office of Bar Counsel 9456 Double R Blvd. Suite B, Reno, NV 89521 TEL (775) 329-4100 FAX (775) 329-0522 complaints@nvbar.org
