Texas Attorney Complaints
Navigating the State Bar of Texas’s Complaint and Enforcement Procedures.
Our Texas Case Studies
Robert A. Skipworth
El Paso, TX
Complaint: Retaliatory Litigation & Misconduct
A complaint detailing a pattern of bad-faith litigation, conflicts of interest, and filing actions without client authority.
Read the Full Case Study →The Texas Disciplinary Process: An Overview
The attorney disciplinary system in Texas is administered by the State Bar of Texas through its Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel (CDC). The process is governed by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.
Key Stages of a Complaint:
- Filing a Grievance: The process begins when a person files a formal written grievance with the CDC. This must be done using the official State Bar grievance form.
- Classification: The CDC reviews the grievance to determine if, on its face, it alleges professional misconduct. If it does, it's classified as a "Complaint." If not, it's dismissed as an "Inquiry." This decision can be appealed to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals (BODA).
- Just Cause Investigation: Once classified as a Complaint, the attorney is notified and has 30 days to respond. The CDC then investigates to determine if there is "just cause" to believe misconduct occurred.
- Hearing: If just cause is found, the attorney chooses to have the case heard by either a local grievance committee's evidentiary panel or in a state district court.
- Sanctions: If misconduct is proven, sanctions can range from a private reprimand to suspension or complete disbarment from the practice of law.