Professional Licenses

Over the past twenty five years, I’ve represented pilots, doctors, lawyers, nurses, architects and engineers who have faced licensing problems. Most of these professionals come to me after some crisis — often involving the criminal justice system or substance abuse, or both — threatens their license and livelihood. While each case presents its own unique facts and circumstances, a common thread runs through almost every case: Someone at or within the licensing board, agency, corporation or justice system has lost trust in the license holder’s ability to carry out his or her duties and responsibilities safely and effectively. It becomes necessary, therefore, for the license holder to show cause and re-establish trust. And that’s what I help my clients do. I help save their careers by learning everything I can about them and their situation, in order to tell that person’s story to the right people, in the right way, at the right time. Done correctly, I’ve been witness to careers saved, families re-united, and trust and faith in fundamentally good, capable people restored.

Suspension of a Pilot’s License

If you have experienced a triggering event, and you have either reported it, or are considering doing so, please call my office to discuss your situation. I have extensive experience working successfully with federal and state bureaucracies — including the FAA — with corporate headquarters, and with pilot associations and union representatives. I am also extremely familiar with the HIMS [Human Intervention Motivation Study] program. HIMS, widely respected throughout the aviation industry, is considered the gold standard for airman medical re-certifications, following an alcohol or chemical dependency diagnosis or similar triggering event, such as an arrest for a DWI or some other criminal charge where alcohol is either involved or suspected.

Professional License Defense Generally

A quarter century of helping professionals retain their licenses and careers has taught me the following:

• Re-establishing trust is essential in saving careers
• In order to do that, underlying behavioral issues or problems must be identified, addressed and wherever possible, changed
• Most professionals would rather "take a bullet" than ask for help
• But once they do ask for help, the professional client becomes a force multiplier
• Having one advocate coordinate the entire case, responding to and advocating before all agencies and parties involved on the client’s behalf – including the criminal courts if necessary – is a most effective strategy
• Experience counts – a deep knowledge of and appreciation for how administrative review boards and licensing agencies work, what they are really looking for, and the ability to tell the client’s story of change and renewed trustworthiness, are all essential to a winning effort

Please call my office for comprehensive representation with your licensing issues.