ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

In the State of California, many professionals and business owners require a license in order to work. These licenses are issued by the state and can either be taken away or denied in an administrative process. Administrative law cases have their own set of rules and require a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations that govern these types of cases. Because the potential consequences of administrative law cases are so high -- including losing the ability to work in your chosen profession -- a skilled attorney is recommended to help you through the process. Thomas Chapin as litigated and or settled numerous cases with many of the various stat, county and city licensing agencies.  Below is a list of some of those agencies:

• Acupuncture Board

• California Architects Board

• California State Athletic Commission, (CSAC)

• Bureau of Automotive Repair, (BAR)

• Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC)

• Department of Child Support Services (CDCSS)

• Board of Chiropractic Examiners (BCE)

• State Compensation Insurance Fund, (SCIF) 

• Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

• Dental Board of California (DBC)

• Employment Development Department (EDD)

• Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists

• Board of Equalization (BOE)

• Fish & Game Commission (FGC)

• Department of Fish & Wildlife, (CDFW)

• Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) 

• Franchise Tax Board (FTB)

• Department of Insurance (CDI)

• Medical Board of California (MBC)

• Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

• Board of Optometry

• California State Board of Pharmacy

• Physician Assistant Board

• Department of Real Estate (DRE)

• Board of Registered Nursing (RN)

• California Veterinary Medical Board (VMB)

At the Law Offices of Thomas R. Chapin, we have experience handling administrative law cases. We represent clients in matters involving professional and business licensing and other types of administrative issues. By fighting aggressively for our clients, we are often able to protect their interest in retaining their license. We offer reasonable prices and comprehensive legal representation so that our clients’ full range of legal issues are appropriately handled.

Administrative law includes any type of legal process involving the administrative actions of the executive branch of government. While the administrative law process is significantly different from the criminal or civil law process, the stakes in these cases are often just as high -- if not higher -- than matters that are heard by a trial court.

Licensing and the law

A prime example of administrative law matters that can have a significant impact on a person’s life is licensing. The state of California issues business and professional licenses and must adhere to certain standards in deciding to grant, deny or take away a license. Although you do not have a legal right to have a business or professional license, the government must still comply with the law. This means fairly and impartially deciding to approve or deny a license application and providing due process to a person or business whose license may be revoked.

Different types of licenses in California

Licenses are required to work in many different professions. Doctors, lawyers, real estate agents and foster parents are all required to be licensed by the state and/or a professional board. Daycares, restaurants and other businesses might also be required to be licensed by the state. If a person or a business is denied a license or if a licensing agency seeks to revoke a license, then they risk losing their ability to work or to run their business. An experienced administrative law attorney can represent an individual or a business regarding licensing issues and might be able to appeal the denial of a license or defend an existing license.

Revoking a license

In order to revoke a business or professional license, the licensing agency must give the person or entity holding the license notice of the potential revocation and the opportunity to be heard. This usually occurs at a hearing where the license holder can present evidence and make arguments to attempt to keep his or her license. Thomas Chapin is seasoned at defending his clients’ professional and business licenses and has a proven track record of success in this realm.

In many cases, a license revocation is related to a separate criminal case. For example, a doctor who has been charged with a DUI may be facing discipline or the potential revocation of his or her license before the state medical board. In those situations, the Law Offices of Thomas R. Chapin can represent clients in both the administrative and criminal cases. A global strategic approach to both matters can help to resolve the case in a more favorable and cost-efficient manner.