LARA Investigations
Complaints, investigations and disciplinary matters.
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Professional Licensing
Professional Licensing Your career. Your reputation. Our focus.
Strategic legal representation for professionals facing licensing investigations, complaints, disciplinary actions and administrative hearings.
Protecting Michigan professionals
Your professional license represents years of work.
A complaint, investigation or disciplinary matter can place a professional license, reputation and livelihood at risk. Estate & Risk represents licensed professionals in Michigan licensing investigations, disciplinary proceedings, administrative hearings, reinstatement matters and related licensing concerns.
Disciplinary Matters
Representation in formal proceedings and licensing disputes.
Administrative Hearings / MOAHR
Advocacy in licensing hearings before MOAHR and other Michigan authorities.
MCOLES Matters
Law-enforcement credential, licensing and related career issues.
Licensing & Career Issues
Applications, reinstatement and matters affecting professional standing.
Employment Risk
Workplace disclosures, leave, fitness-for-duty and career consequences.
Representation may involve LARA and the Bureau of Professional Licensing, a Michigan licensing board, MOAHR, MCOLES or another applicable regulatory authority.
Law enforcement licensing
MCOLES
The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards oversees law-enforcement licensing, standards and discipline. Two recurring statutory grounds deserve immediate attention: allegations of fraud or materially false statements in the licensing process, and a felony criminal offense or adjudication that triggers licensing consequences. MCOLES matters can proceed to a contested-case hearing under Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act.
Key authorities: MCL 28.609; MCL 28.609b; MCL 28.609c; Mich Admin Code, R 28.14601 et seq. The exact authority depends on the action and facts involved.
Administrative hearings
MOAHR
The Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules provides the administrative hearing forum for many Michigan licensing disputes. An Administrative Law Judge conducts the hearing, receives testimony and evidence, and issues findings and a proposal or hearing report under the governing statute and rules. The licensing agency or board generally retains responsibility for the final agency decision.
Process: notice and pleadings, then evidence and testimony before the ALJ, then findings and a proposal or hearing report, then final agency or board action, then judicial review when authorized.
Law-enforcement credibility & disclosure
Brady & Giglio issues
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), addresses the prosecution's duty to disclose material evidence favorable to the accused. Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972), applies the disclosure principle to material evidence affecting witness credibility.
For law-enforcement professionals, allegations involving truthfulness, reports, testimony, omissions or credibility can create consequences beyond a single investigation. The legal and employment effect depends on the facts, agency process and applicable law.
Your first response can matter.
A complaint, investigation, employer request or licensing issue can move quickly. Early legal guidance can help identify what is being asked, what is at risk and how to respond.
- Complaints and investigations
- Licensing and disciplinary proceedings
- Employment and disclosure concerns
- Fitness-for-duty and leave issues
- Career-sensitive strategy and advocacy
Who we represent
Licensed professionals across Michigan
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Physician Assistants
- Psychologists
- Professional Counselors
- Marriage & Family Therapists
- Social Workers
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Other Health Professionals
- Police & Law Enforcement
- Real Estate Professionals
- Professional Engineers
- Other Licensed Professionals
Fees & engagements
Clear fees before representation begins.
Professional licensing matters vary depending on the agency involved, the stage of the proceeding, the record, and the complexity of the issues presented. Estate & Risk's standard attorney rate is $350 per hour.
When the scope of a matter can be reasonably defined in advance, a flat-fee arrangement may also be available. Any applicable fee structure, advance retainer, and anticipated scope of representation will be discussed before the engagement begins.
Private counsel before the next step
Start with the legal and career consequences, then decide what response, communication or representation is appropriate.
$350 / hourstandard attorney rate
Common questions
Michigan professional licensing questions
What should I do when a licensing complaint or investigation notice arrives?
A complaint, investigation, employer request or licensing issue can move quickly. Early legal guidance can help identify what is being asked, what is at risk and how to respond before an informal response becomes a permanent problem.
What is MOAHR?
The Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules provides the administrative hearing forum for many Michigan licensing disputes. An Administrative Law Judge conducts the hearing, receives testimony and evidence, and issues findings and a proposal or hearing report. The licensing agency or board generally retains responsibility for the final agency decision.
What is MCOLES?
The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards oversees law-enforcement licensing, standards and discipline. MCOLES matters can proceed to a contested-case hearing under Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act.
How much does licensing representation cost?
Estate & Risk's standard attorney rate is $350 per hour. When the scope of a matter can be reasonably defined in advance, a flat-fee arrangement may also be available. Fee structure, any advance retainer and the anticipated scope are discussed before the engagement begins.
Ready to talk?
Legal work designed around what happens next.
The goal is not just to complete a document or respond to today's issue. It is to understand what the decision changes tomorrow, for your family, career, business or legacy.
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3310 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 265, Troy, MI 48084 · Serving Troy, Oakland County and clients across Michigan