State Bar Defense & admissions; Prof. License Discipline Defense; Administrative Law
Law Offices of Zachary D. Wechsler
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6100 Center Drive, Suite 600 Los Angeles, California 90045 USA |
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(310) 642-4600
(310) 642-4646
Law Firm Overview
Defending Attorneys, Doctors and Other Licensed Professionals or Applicants Facing Licensing problems or Professional Discipline in California. Zach Wechsler is a former deputy attorney general for the State of California. In 2000, the board of governors of the State Bar of California appointed him to a four-year term on the Committee of Bar Examiners, the licensing body responsible for overseeing the education, testing and admission of attorneys to practice law in the state of California. In addition, Mr. Wechsler represented many state agencies in his capacity as a deputy attorney general. This unique background provides him with a unique perspective in licensing issues. He understands legal issues from the perspective of the state agency, licensing board member and now as an advocate for clients before licensing boards and bodies. As an experienced California attorney and cum laude graduate of Loyola Law School, Mr. Wechsler is recognized by legal colleagues and by professional boards for his ethical, strategic and diligent approach to cases he handles. In addition to working with professionals, he regularly receives referrals in these practice areas :* Administrative law
* Professional licensing
* Professional discipline investigations and hearings
* Professional misconduct defense
* State bar admissions
* Responding to state bar investigations
* State bar defense
* Moral character applications
* Professionals with DUIs or other substance abuse issues
* Professionals with other criminal convictions
* Professional rehabilitation
* Law office management consultations
* Legal ethics consultations
* Private mediation
* Contract drafting and review for employment and construction
* Business consultation
* Strategic and risk management consultation for businesses and individuals contemplating the formation of businesses
Mr. Wechsler knows successful representation of professionals requires a different set of skills than a civil litigator or criminal defense attorney. Resolution of cases often involves working closely with clients, understanding the culture of the particular agencies involved and the application of the law.
Mr. Wechsler has developed a thorough understanding of the distinct skills and techniques necessary for the successful resolution of problems in an administrative agency setting, such as professional license defense or professional misconduct defense.
Our clients benefit from our extensive experience handling matters involving hearing officers, administrative panels, and the administrative law judges affiliated with the Office of Administrative Hearings. We prepare the defense for and resolve professional license problems for people in a number of professions and occupations including:
* Attorneys and other licensed legal professionals
* Medical professionals including physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals
* Real estate brokers and appraisers
* Insurance agents and brokers
* Teachers, principals and coaches
* Social workers, counselors, therapists and foster parents
* Building contractors, road construction contractors and landscape professionals
* Jockeys, trainers and owners in the California horse racing industry
Our understanding of the differences between civil litigation and the different procedures associated with the professional disciplinary process can help expand your options for a favorable outcome under the facts of your case. At the same time, we work closely with you and the agency to make sure that you have a clear understanding of your exposure, the range of potential sanctions, and the steps necessary to protect your license and your career.
Appealing License Denial and Disciplinary Action
Even if you have received professional discipline, such as a sanction, suspension, revocation or license denial, we have had success appealing and reversing penalties by either working within the appropriate agency or appealing by means of a Writ of Mandate to the appropriate court.
California State Bar Court - Attorney Discipline Defense
If you are a California lawyer facing discipline for an ethics complaint or alleged violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, contact the Law Offices of Zachary D. Wechsler in Los Angeles for a consultation about your options for defense. As a former member of the State Bar of California's Committee of Bar Examiners, Mr. Wechsler's close familiarity with moral character standards and the attorney discipline process can benefit you in many ways. Most of all, he can help you take the remedial steps necessary to demonstrate accountability and achieve the rehabilitation that the State Bar Court requires in order to keep your license intact.
Our unique approach to attorney discipline matters iinvolves working with you and the State Bar to resolve professional misconduct problems on fair terms that can protect your license and career while maintaining California's high standards of legal ethics. Mr. Wechsler’s varied experience will be helpful to you in a variety of different ethical and disciplinary matters including:
* Arrests or criminal convictions for drug possession, drunk driving, or domestic violence
* Breach of fiduciary duty involving trust administration, powers of attorney, or guardianships
* Client neglect or failure to maintain client communication
* Trust account problems
* Lack of candor with a court or opponent
* Unresolved or undisclosed conflicts of interest
* Chemical dependency problems involving alcohol or controlled substances
Mr. Wechsler has seen many troubled attorneys turn their lives and careers around through the hard work of transformation. We support and encourage you throughout the process and make sure that your progress is convincingly demonstrated to the panel responsible for your case. Mr. Wechsler's experience and insight into the State Bar discipline process can help you avoid mistakes and maximize your chances for a favorable outcome based on an honest assessment of your exposure on the underlying charges, your most effective alternatives for a defense based on the facts, and a realistic sense of the sanctions that you might face.
Mr. Wechsler also advises and represents lawyers and law graduates who encounter problems with the moral character application component of admission to the bar, or who need to demonstrate full rehabilitation as a condition of reinstatement of their license to practice or relief from probationary conditions.
Providing Diligent Defense for Allegations of Professional Misconduct
A former member of the California Committee of Bar Examiners, Attorney Zach Wechsler served several years on the Subcommittee on Moral Character. He has attended more than 400 related hearings and has valuable insight and experience with the deliberative processes that inform decisions for admission or denial based on the applicant's background.
With his real-world experience as well as knowledge of the inner workings of many agencies or committees which handle administrative matters, such as discipline investigations for professional misconduct, Mr. Wechsler provides defense services to clients facing misconduct allegations related to:
* Ethics violations
* Substance abuse
* Moral character concerns
* Sexual misconduct
* Criminal charges or conviction
* Practicing beyond the scope of a profession
* Other professional misconduct
Whether you face disciplinary actions before the California State Bar, the Medical Board of California, the Dental Board of California or other licensing and regulatory agency, our law firm can provide the effective advice and counsel to help you protect your reputation and preserve your career. Contact Los Angeles attorney Zach Wechsler to discuss your situation.
