The Medical Board of California License Defense Lawyers

Medical Board of California License Defense Lawyers

Dealing with a complaint or investigation from the Medical Board of California can be an incredibly stressful and frightening experience for physicians. Your medical license and career are on the line. Where do you turn for help? Who do you trust to guide you through this process and protect your reputation and ability to practice medicine?

That’s where an experienced California medical license defense attorney can make all the difference. Having the right legal counsel on your side gives you the best chance of resolving the complaint favorably and avoiding discipline on your license.

What Does the Medical Board of California Do?

The Medical Board of California (MBC) is responsible for licensing and regulating physicians in the state. This includes:

• Issuing medical licenses
• Investigating complaints and reports of misconduct
• Disciplining licensees through probation, suspension, or revocation
• Monitoring physicians on probation

In fiscal year 2020, the MBC received 10,868 complaints and opened 1,956 investigations. The most common allegations included:

• Negligence, incompetence
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Sexual misconduct, boundary violations
• Prescribing issues
• Failure to refer or consult
• Poor medical record keeping
• Unprofessional conduct

As you can see, the MBC takes its role in public protection very seriously. Any complaint is a big deal that requires experienced legal representation.

Stages of the Disciplinary Process

If you receive a complaint from the MBC, here are the general stages you can expect in the disciplinary process:

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

1. Complaint – The MBC receives a complaint or report about a physician.
2. Investigation – The MBC investigates the allegations through interviews, subpoenas, expert reviews.
3. Accusation – If there is sufficient evidence, the MBC files a formal accusation against the physician’s license.
4. Settlement – Many cases settle through a stipulated agreement at this stage.
5. Administrative Hearing – If no settlement, an administrative law judge hears the case.
6. Proposed Decision – The judge issues a recommended decision.
7. Final Decision – The MBC reviews and makes a final decision on discipline.
8. Appeal – The physician can appeal the decision to the state court system.

This entire process can take anywhere from several months to a year or longer. Throughout the proceedings, the physician faces restrictions on their license and the threat of losing their livelihood altogether.

Why You Need an Attorney From the Start

Some physicians think they can handle the early stages of an investigation themselves. This is a mistake. Retaining legal counsel from the very beginning offers important benefits:

• We can conduct a pre-investigation analysis to get out ahead of the allegations.
• We engage with the MBC early and gain control of the narrative.
• We advise you on interacting with investigators to avoid missteps.
• We identify weaknesses in the complaint and build your defense strategy.
• We negotiate aggressively to reach a favorable settlement where appropriate.

When your reputation and ability to practice are put at risk, there is no substitute for experience and knowledge of the system and tactics you are facing. Chudnovsky Law attorneys Robert Weinberg, Melissa DuChene, and Suzanne Crouts have over 50 years experience representing physicians in California Medical Board license defense, federal, DEA and state criminal defense matters.

How an Attorney Defends Your License

Effective medical license defense requires meticulous attention to detail. This is what you can expect from your attorney:

• Carefully review the letter of complaint and request additional information from the MBC.
• Advise you regarding communications with the MBC and prepare you for any interviews.
• Thoroughly investigate the allegations, review relevant records and documents.
• Retain independent expert witnesses to review the case and support your defense.
• Aggressively defend you before the MBC and negotiate for the best possible outcome.
• Present your defense at an administrative hearing if a settlement cannot be reached.
• File appeals to challenge any adverse decisions against your license.

An experienced California medical license defense lawyer will fight to protect your reputation and preserve your ability to practice medicine. We help many physicians reach favorable outcomes that avoid discipline altogether or minimize the impact on their licenses.

Contact a California Medical License Defense Attorney Today

Dealing with the Medical Board of California can be overwhelming. Don’t go it alone. The experienced medical license defense attorneys at Chudnovsky Law are here to help. We represent physicians statewide against MBC complaints and allegations. For a free case review, call 800-547-9851 or contact us online today.