The Texas Grievance Form is a document used to file complaints against attorneys in Texas. This form allows individuals to formally express concerns regarding an attorney's conduct or performance. Before proceeding with the grievance, consider alternative solutions through the Client-Attorney Assistance Program.
If you are ready to file your grievance, click the button below to access the form.
When filling out the Texas Grievance form, it is important to follow certain guidelines to ensure that your grievance is processed smoothly. Below is a list of things you should and shouldn’t do.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
STATE BAR OF TEXAS
GRIEVANCE FORM
ONLINE FILING AVAILABLE AT http://cdc.texasbar.com.
I.GENERAL INFORMATION
Before you fill out this paperwork, there may be a faster way to resolve the issue you are currently having with an attorney.
If you are considering filing a grievance against a Texas attorney for any of the following reasons:
~You are concerned about the progress of your case.
~Communication with your attorney is difficult.
~Your case is over or you have fired your attorney and you need documents from your file or your former attorney.
You may want to consider contacting the Client-Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP) at 1-800-932-1900.
CAAP was established by the State Bar of Texas to help people resolve these kinds of issues with attorneys quickly, without the filing of a formal grievance.
CAAP can resolve many problems without a grievance being filed by providing information, by suggesting various self-help options for dealing with the situation, or by contacting the attorney either by telephone or letter.
I have ______ I have not ______ contacted the Client-Attorney Assistance Program.
If you prefer, you have the option to file your grievance online at http://cdc.texasbar.com.
In order for us to comply with our deadlines, additional information/documentation that you would like to include as part of your grievance submission must be received in this office by mail or fax within (10) days after submission of your grievance. Please limit your additional information to 25 pages. Information, including audio, video or image files, submitted on a USB thumb drive or flash drive must not exceed 25MB. Information received after the 10 day deadline will be returned and not considered, as well as information submitted on CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes or other unsupported media. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
NOTE: Please be sure to fill out each section completely. Do not leave any section blank. If you do not know the answer to any question, write “I don’t know.”
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II.INFORMATION ABOUT YOU -- PLEASE KEEP CURRENT
Mr.
1.
TDCJ/SID #
Ms.
Name:
_____________________________________
Immigration # _______________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
City: ____________________
State: _________________ Zip Code: ______________
2.Employer:___________________________________________________________________
Employer’s Address:__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3.Telephone numbers: Residence: ____________________ Work: _____________________
Cell: _________________
4.Email:______________________________________________________________________
5.Drivers License # _____________________ Date of Birth __________________
6.Name, address, and telephone number of person who can always reach you in the event that the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel needs to locate you. *Please note that confidentiality is not waived and this individual does not have the authority to contact the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel in order to obtain information about this grievance.
Name _______________________________ Address _______________________________
______________________________ Telephone ___________________________________
7.Do you understand and write in the English language? ______________________
If no, what is your primary language? ___________
Who helped you prepare this form? _____________________________________
Will they be available to translate future correspondence during this process? _________
8.Are you a Judge? _____________________
If yes, please provide Court, County, City, State: ____________________________________
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III.INFORMATION ABOUT ATTORNEY
Note: Grievances are not accepted against law firms. You must specifically name the attorney against whom you are complaining. A separate grievance form must be completed for each attorney against whom you are complaining.
1.Attorney name: _____________________________ Address: ____________________
City: ______________________ State:_____________ Zip Code:_________________
2. Telephone number: Work _____________ Home ________________ Other _____________
3.Have you or a member of your family filed a grievance about this attorney previously?
Yes ___ No ___ If “yes”, please state its approximate date and outcome. ____________
______________________________________________________________________________
Have you or a member of your family ever filed an appeal with the Board of Disciplinary Appeals about this attorney?
Yes ____ No ___ If “yes,” please state its approximate date and outcome.
________________________________________________________________________
4.Please check one of the following:
________
This attorney was hired to represent me.
This attorney was appointed to represent me.
This attorney was hired to represent someone else.
If you hired the attorney, tell us how you met the attorney. Specifically, please provide details about how you came to know and hire this attorney.___________________________________
Please give the date the attorney was hired or appointed. __________________________
Please state what the attorney was hired or appointed to do.________________________
5.What was your fee arrangement with the attorney? ____________________________________
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How much did you pay the attorney? ______________________________________________
If you signed a contract and have a copy, please attach.
If you have copies of checks and/or receipts, please attach.
Do not send originals.
6.If you did not hire the attorney, what is your connection with the attorney? Explain briefly
7.Are you currently represented by an attorney? ____________________
If yes, please provide information about your current attorney: ___________________________
8.Do you claim the attorney has an impairment, such as depression or a substance use disorder? If yes, please provide specifics (your personal observations of the attorney such as slurred speech, odor of alcohol, ingestion of alcohol or drugs in your presence etc., including the date you observed this, the time of day, and location).
9.Did the attorney ever make any statements or admissions to you or in your presence that would indicate that the attorney may be experiencing an impairment, such as depression or a substance use disorder? If so, please provide details.
IV. INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR GRIEVANCE
1.Where did the activity you are complaining about occur?
County: _________________ City: ________________
2.If your grievance is about a lawsuit, answer the following, if known:
a. Name of court ________________________________________________________
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b.Title of the suit ________________________________________________________
c.Case number and date suit was filed _______________________________________
d.If you are not a party to this suit, what is your connection with it? Explain briefly.
______________________________________________________________________
If you have copies of court documents, please attach.
3.Explain in detail why you think this attorney has done something improper or has failed to do something which should have been done. Attach additional sheets of paper if necessary.
Supporting documents, such as copies of a retainer agreement, proof of payment, correspondence between you and your attorney, the case name and number if a specific case is involved, and copies of papers filed in connection with the case, may be useful to our investigation. Do not send originals, as they will not be returned. Additionally, please do not use staples, post-it notes, or binding. Please limit your supporting documentation to 25 pages. Information, including audio, video or image files, submitted on a USB thumb drive or flash drive must not exceed 25MB. Information received after the 10 day deadline will be returned and not considered, as well as information submitted on CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes or other unsupported media.
Include the names, addresses, and telephone number of all persons who know something about your grievance.
Please be advised that a copy of your grievance will be forwarded to the attorney named in your grievance. To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, please redact personal identifying information (i.e., social security number, date of birth) from any document you provide in support of your grievance and avoid submitting medical records or protected health information belonging to third- parties. Please be advised that in the event that you do provide records that contain your own personal identifying information or protected health information, you are authorizing us to share this information with the attorney named in your grievance. Be advised that documents that contain unredacted third party personal identifying information or that individual’s protected health information will be returned and not considered. By executing the grievance below, you authorize the CDC to disclose your personal identifying information and protected health information as necessary to comply with the law, or as necessary to carry out the function and duties of the CDC.
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V.HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS’ ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE PROCESS?
__
Yellow Pages
CAAP
Internet
Attorney
Other
Website
VI. ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE WAIVER
I hereby expressly waive any attorney-client privilege as to the attorney, the subject of this Grievance, and authorize such attorney to reveal any information in the professional relationship to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the State Bar of Texas. I understand that it may be necessary to act promptly to preserve any legal rights I may have, and that commencement of a civil action may be required to preserve those rights.
Additionally, I understand that the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel may exercise its discretion and refer this Grievance to the Client-Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP) of the State Bar of Texas for assistance in resolving a subject matter of this Grievance. In that regard, I hereby acknowledge my understanding that such discretionary referral does not constitute the commencement of a civil action and that the State Bar of Texas will not commence any civil action on my part. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to seek and obtain any necessary legal advice with respect to this matter. I also understand that any information I provide to the State Bar of Texas may be used to assist me and will remain confidential for purposes of resolving the issue(s) described above.
I understand that the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel maintains as confidential the processing of Grievances.
I hereby swear and affirm that I am the person named in Section II, Question 1 of this form (the Complainant) and that the information provided in this Grievance is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _________________________________ Date: ______________________
TO ENSURE PROMPT ATTENTION, THE GRIEVANCE SHOULD BE MAILED TO:
THE OFFICE OF CHIEF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
P.O. Box 13287
Austin, TX 78711
Fax: (512) 427-4169
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The Texas Grievance form is a critical document for individuals who wish to file a complaint against an attorney. However, several other forms and documents often accompany this grievance to provide additional context or support. Below is a list of these related documents, each serving a specific purpose in the grievance process.
These documents enhance the grievance process by ensuring that all relevant information is considered. Properly completing and submitting these forms can significantly impact the resolution of complaints against attorneys in Texas.
Filling out the Texas Grievance form can be a daunting task, and mistakes can lead to delays or even rejection of your grievance. One common error is leaving sections blank. Each part of the form is crucial for providing a complete picture of your situation. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s better to write “I don’t know” rather than skipping it entirely.
Another frequent mistake is failing to provide accurate contact information. Ensuring that your name, address, and phone numbers are correct is essential. If the State Bar cannot reach you, it can slow down the process significantly. Additionally, forgetting to include the name and contact details of someone who can always reach you can be problematic.
Many individuals also neglect to specify the attorney’s name correctly. Remember, grievances cannot be filed against law firms, only against individual attorneys. If you mistakenly list a law firm instead of the attorney’s name, your grievance will not be accepted. Furthermore, ensure you fill out a separate form for each attorney involved.
When detailing your grievance, some people fail to provide enough specific information about the issues they encountered. Simply stating that you had a bad experience is not enough. You should explain in detail why you believe the attorney acted improperly. Attach any relevant documents, but remember not to send originals, as they will not be returned.
Another common oversight is not indicating if you have previously filed a grievance against the same attorney. This information is vital for the State Bar to understand your history with the attorney. If you or a family member has filed a grievance or an appeal, include the approximate dates and outcomes.
Additionally, some individuals overlook the importance of including their fee arrangement with the attorney. This information can help clarify the context of your grievance. If you signed a contract, it’s advisable to attach a copy, along with any receipts or checks related to your payments.
Lastly, many people forget to check their understanding of the English language. If you require assistance, indicate who helped you prepare the form and whether they will be available for future correspondence. This ensures that communication can continue smoothly throughout the grievance process.
When filling out the Texas Grievance form, keep these key takeaways in mind:
After completing the Texas Grievance form, you will need to submit it to the appropriate authorities. Ensure all sections are filled out accurately and completely. This helps in processing your grievance effectively.