Bar Complaint Template

COMPLAINT AGAINST ATTORNEY — STATE BAR DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Complainant Information
2. Attorney Information
3. Relationship to Attorney
4. Nature of Complaint
5. Factual Narrative
6. Rule Violations
7. Prior Complaints and Related Proceedings
8. Supporting Documentation
9. Certification and Signature

TO: [________________________________] (State Bar / Office of Disciplinary Counsel / Attorney Grievance Commission)

Address: [________________________________]

Date Filed: [__/__/____]

I. COMPLAINANT INFORMATION

Full Name: [________________________________]

Address: [________________________________]

City/State/ZIP: [________________________________]

Phone: [________________________________]

Email: [________________________________]

Preferred Method of Contact: ☐ Mail ☐ Email ☐ Phone

II. ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Attorney Name: [________________________________]

Bar Number (if known): [________________________________]

Law Firm Name: [________________________________]

Office Address: [________________________________]

City/State/ZIP: [________________________________]

Phone (if known): [________________________________]

Email (if known): [________________________________]

III. RELATIONSHIP TO ATTORNEY

☐ The attorney represented me in a legal matter
☐ The attorney represented the opposing party in a matter involving me
☐ I am a witness to the attorney's misconduct
☐ I am a judge/court officer reporting misconduct
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Nature of representation (if applicable): [________________________________]

Dates of representation: From [__/__/____] to [__/__/____]

Was a written retainer agreement signed? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Fees paid to the attorney: $[________________________________]

IV. NATURE OF COMPLAINT

Check all categories of alleged misconduct that apply:

Competence and Diligence

☐ Failure to provide competent representation (Rule 1.1)
☐ Failure to act with reasonable diligence and promptness (Rule 1.3)
☐ Failure to keep client informed / communicate (Rule 1.4)
☐ Missed filing deadlines or statute of limitations

Conflicts of Interest

☐ Representing conflicting interests without consent (Rule 1.7)
☐ Adverse use of former client's confidential information (Rule 1.9)
☐ Prohibited business transaction with client (Rule 1.8)

Financial Misconduct

☐ Mishandling or misappropriation of client funds (Rule 1.15)
☐ Charging excessive or unreasonable fees (Rule 1.5)
☐ Failure to return unearned fees upon termination
☐ Commingling client funds with personal/business funds

Dishonesty and Fraud

☐ Dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation (Rule 8.4(c))
☐ Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice (Rule 8.4(d))
☐ Making false statements to a tribunal (Rule 3.3)
☐ Unauthorized settlement without client consent (Rule 1.2(a))

Scope of Representation

☐ Acting beyond the scope of authority (Rule 1.2)
☐ Failure to abide by client's decisions
☐ Failure to return client file (Rule 1.16(d))

Other Misconduct

☐ Criminal conduct reflecting on fitness to practice (Rule 8.4(b))
☐ Substance abuse affecting representation
☐ Sexual misconduct with client
☐ Discrimination or harassment
☐ Other: [________________________________]

V. FACTUAL NARRATIVE

Describe the facts supporting your complaint in chronological order. Be as specific as possible, including dates, names, and descriptions of events.

[________________________________]

[________________________________]

[________________________________]

[________________________________]

[________________________________]

[________________________________]

[________________________________]

[________________________________]

VI. RULE VIOLATIONS

Based on the facts above, I believe the attorney violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct:

VII. PRIOR COMPLAINTS AND RELATED PROCEEDINGS

☐ I have previously filed a complaint against this attorney. Reference No.: [________________________________]

☐ I have filed a civil lawsuit against this attorney. Court/Case No.: [________________________________]

☐ There is a pending criminal matter related to this complaint. Case No.: [________________________________]

☐ I have filed a fee arbitration petition. Reference No.: [________________________________]

☐ None of the above.

VIII. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Attach copies (not originals) of all documents supporting the complaint:

☐ Retainer / engagement agreement
☐ Correspondence with the attorney (letters, emails, texts)
☐ Billing statements and invoices
☐ Court filings and orders
☐ Settlement documents
☐ Financial records showing fee payments
☐ Photographs or other evidence
☐ Witness statements
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Total number of pages attached: [____]

IX. CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided in this complaint is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that:

☐ Filing this complaint does not create an attorney-client relationship with the disciplinary authority.
☐ The disciplinary authority investigates allegations of ethical misconduct and cannot award monetary damages.
☐ If I seek monetary compensation, I must file a separate civil lawsuit.
☐ The investigation is confidential during the preliminary stages.
☐ I may be contacted for additional information during the investigation.
☐ Filing a knowingly false complaint may itself constitute misconduct.

Complainant Signature: [________________________________]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER FILING

1. Acknowledgment: The disciplinary authority will acknowledge receipt, typically within 2-4 weeks.

2. Classification: Staff will determine whether the complaint alleges conduct that, if true, would constitute a rule violation (typically within 30 days).

3. Investigation: If the complaint is classified for investigation, the attorney will be notified and given an opportunity to respond.

4. Determination: The investigator will determine whether "just cause" exists to believe misconduct occurred.

5. Possible Outcomes:
   ☐ Dismissal (insufficient evidence)
   ☐ Diversion / private admonition
   ☐ Public reprimand
   ☐ Suspension
   ☐ Disbarment

STATE-SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS

California: File with the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. No specific form required — may submit online or by letter.

Texas: File with the State Bar of Texas, Chief Disciplinary Counsel. Use the official grievance form available at texasbar.com.

Florida: File with The Florida Bar, Attorney Consumer Assistance Program. Online submission available at floridabar.org.

New York: File with the appropriate Appellate Division's Attorney Grievance Committee. Four departments cover different geographic regions.

This template is provided for informational purposes only. A bar complaint addresses ethical misconduct and may result in discipline, but does not provide a monetary remedy. If you have suffered financial harm, consult a licensed attorney about filing a civil legal malpractice claim.