Professionals working in Vermont are licensed and regulated by a variety of agencies. Allopathic physicians are regulated by the Board of Medical Practice, whereas osteopathic physicians along with many other professionals are regulated by the Office of Professional Responsibility (“OPR”). Attorneys are regulated by the Professional Responsibility Board and prospective attorneys are regulated by the Board of Bar Examiners.
Sheehey litigators have extensive experience defending regulated professionals in a variety of contexts. Sheehey attorneys regularly defend professional malpractice suits against medical providers, attorneys, and other licensed professionals like accountants and mental health providers. In addition, Sheehey defends professionals in regulatory settings against accusations of unprofessional conduct or conduct outside the permitted scope of practice. Often such accusations can have both civil and criminal consequences, and Sheehey’s attorneys are experienced in helping clients navigate both of those landscapes.
Sheehey attorneys have represented a wide range of regulated professions, including doctors, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, accountants, social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists, veterinarians, pharmacists, cosmetologists, optometrists, nursing home administrators, and many others. For professions regulated by OPR, the same prosecutors work for many different regulatory boards, so Sheehey attorneys regularly work with those prosecutors across many different regulated professions.
Ian Carleton, Kevin Lumpkin, Justin Brown, and Alex Nelson have extensive experience defending physicians and nurses both in medical malpractice suits and in front of the bodies who regulate them. They and other Sheehey attorneys regularly work with the prosecutors at the Board of Medical Practice and OPR to resolve concerns related to a professional’s practice.
Hannah Waite, Devin McKnight and many other litigators regularly appear before OPR to defend licensed professionals. For serious accusations, OPR can seek summary suspension of a professional’s license, which requires an immediate hearing before the appropriate board. Sheehey attorneys are experienced in assisting professionals in navigating summary suspension proceedings and working with OPR prosecutors to negotiate a resolution.
Sheehey lawyers also represent other attorneys appearing before the Professional Responsibility Board or facing a civil suit for legal malpractice. In addition, Ian, Kevin, and Hannah have all served as special disciplinary counsel for the Professional Responsibility Board, investigating and prosecuting attorneys accused of wrongdoing. Their experience seeing the process from both sides helps them to better advocate for Sheehey clients. Kevin and Alex have both represented clients advocating for admission to the Bar before the Board of Bar Examiners.
Our litigation team also defends physicians and other professionals against accusations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud, defense of False Claims Act proceedings, and criminal charges that stem from those allegations. Sheehey litigators Christina Nolan and Heather Ross both joined Sheehey from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, and provide invaluable experience to Sheehey clients in navigating these issues. Ian, Hannah, Alex, and others have represented many clients in navigating the defense criminal charges, False Claims Act suits, and similar claims.
Read more about our litigation team here, and do not hesitate to contact us to discuss how we can assist you.
