Office of Disciplinary Counsel

Initiating a Complaint

Things you should know before you file a complaint:

ODC does not provide legal advice. Consequently, ODC will not advise you whether you should file a complaint or provide you with legal representation. If you need help finding a lawyer, you may contact the Delaware State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service.
If you decide to file a complaint, you will be asked to certify the accuracy of the allegations in your complaint. You may also be required to provide documentation to support your complaint.
The filing of a complaint does not automatically result in disciplinary action against the lawyer or person you complained about, or a hearing. Each year, ODC reviews hundreds of complaints, but only a small percentage of these ever proceed to a hearing.
ODC screens complaints to determine whether the conduct alleged violates the Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct or the Rules of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Subcommittee of the Board on Professional Responsibility. Complaints that do not support a violation of the rules will be dismissed.
ODC may send your complaint to the lawyer or person for a response and may gather additional information from other sources.
After reviewing the evidence, ODC may dismiss your complaint, with or without a warning or conditions, proceed with further investigation, or seek to initiate formal proceedings.
ODC will notify you in writing regarding the final disposition of your complaint.
Unless otherwise provided, the lawyer disciplinary process is confidential. You are required to maintain the confidentiality of all proceedings, including the filing of your complaint and disposition of the matter. You may not use any records or dispositions before any court.
ODC may only evaluate the professional conduct of Delaware lawyers or lawyers practicing law in Delaware.
ODC has no jurisdiction to consider complaints against opposing parties, law enforcement officials, public agencies, or courts.
Complaints regarding the professional conduct of judges may be submitted to The Court on the Judiciary, 55 The Green, Dover, DE 19901, 302-739-4155.
ODC is not a court and cannot review, reverse, or remand any decision made by any court. Nor may ODC intervene in pending court proceedings. If there are pending court proceedings, it is likely your complaint will be stayed or dismissed until those proceedings conclude.
ODC will not adjudicate fee disputes between lawyers and their clients. If you have a dispute with your lawyer regarding the amount of fees you paid, you may contact the Delaware State Bar Association Fee Dispute Conciliation and Mediation Committee.

I acknowledge I have read the above information.

Office of Disciplinary Counsel

COMPLAINT FORM

Please complete each section of the form and attach any documents requested. If there are any questions that do not apply to your complaint, type or print N/A (Not Applicable).

Your Information
First Name:	Middle Initial:	Last/Suffix:
Mailing Address:		Apt #
City	State	Zip
Phone number:
Email Address:	@ Please leave blank if you do not have an email address. Please check if you would like to receive a copy of this form
Preferred way of communication: Email Mail Both

Name of the lawyer you contend violated the Delaware Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct or the name of the lawyer or person you contend has engaged in the Unauthorized Practice of Law
First Name:	Middle Initial:	Last/Suffix:
Street Address:		Suite/Floor
City	State	Zip
Name of Firm:
Office Telephone Number:
Email Address (if applicable):	@ Please leave blank if you do not know the email address.

1. Are you the client of the lawyer or person at issue?

Yes No

2. If you answered "Yes" to Question 1, provide the date you hired them:

3. If you answered “No” to Question 1,” explain your connection with the lawyer or person at issue:

4. Please provide the following information regarding your case:

Case Name:
Court:	County:
Case Number(s):
Judge:
Other lawyers involved in the case:
Is this case pending in court?: Yes No

5. Provide the names and contact information of any other persons or witnesses you did not list under Question 4 who may have information relevant to your complaint.

6. Have you, any member of your family, friend, or acquaintance previously complained about this lawyer or person to ODC, another state agency, the courts, or law enforcement?
Yes No

7. If your answer to Question 6 was "Yes", provide the name of the agency or court to whom you complained and the date of your complaint. What was the conduct you complained about? What was the disposition of your complaint?

8. Provide a detailed written statement explaining why you believe the lawyer engaged in professional misconduct or the lawyer or person engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. Generalized statements the lawyer engaged in "unethical" or "illegal" conduct will not be sufficient to support your complaint. You must provide specific factual details to support your allegations. Include relevant dates, contacts, events, and statements.

Please provide copies of ALL documents in your possession that support your complaint. Supporting documents may include:

Court filings
Correspondence, including letters, emails, and/or text messages
Notes of conversations
Transcripts
Fee Agreements, Retainer Agreements, Engagement Letters, Invoices, or any other document relating to fees
Receipts, financial statements, or other records of payments
Any other documentation you deem necessary to support your complaint

CERTIFICATION:

I hereby certify:
The factual allegations in this complaint are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand disciplinary complaints against lawyers are confidential and cannot be used in any proceeding before any tribunal.

Name/Signature

Date

Please upload any documentation you wish ODC to consider in its evaluation of your Complaint. All documents must be submitted as a single file. The electronic complaint filing system will not accept PDF documents larger than 20 Megabytes (MB). You may email additional documents to ARMS_ODC_Complainants@delaware.gov or mail them to the address below:

Office of Disciplinary Counsel
405 N. King Street, Suite 500
Wilmington, DE 19801

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Office of Disciplinary Counsel
The Renaissance Centre
405 North King Street, Suite 500
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
P: (302) 651-3931 | F: (302) 651-3939