Filing a Grievance

Once you have decided that you want to file a grievance with the North Carolina State Bar, it is easy to get started. Just fill out a State Bar grievance form or send us a letter describing the problem. You can get a grievance form by clicking here or by calling our office at 919-828-4620. We can also send you a brochure describing the grievance process.

What Should the Grievance Say?

Be sure to tell us who you are complaining about and what the respondent did that you think is wrong. Include your name and contact information. You don't need to research legal issues or try to figure out what ethical rule the respondent may have violated.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind:

• Be specific. It is more helpful to say "my lawyer didn't tell me when my court date was" than "my lawyer violated my rights."
• Include documents or evidence that explain or support your grievance, but do not send your only copy of valuable items. The NC State Bar must charge for making copies.
• Be complete. Your grievance should describe all of your problems with the lawyer. The NC State Bar will have an investigator contact you if we have questions about your grievance, but interviews are not automatically conducted in every file. Let us know if there is some reason you can't include all of your concerns in your initial grievance.
• Identify witnesses and give their contact information. If possible, outline what you think the witnesses will say.

How Can I Get Information on the Status of My Grievance?

If you are a complainant, you can request information about the status of a grievance at grievancestatus@ncbar.gov .

What If I Want to Withdraw My Grievance?

Once you file a grievance against a lawyer, you cannot withdraw it. The North Carolina State Bar has a duty to the public to complete its investigation. However, if you let your State Bar lawyer know that you want to withdraw your grievance and why, the Grievance Committee will consider that when making a decision about your file.

• For the Public
• Finding a Lawyer
• I Am Having a Dispute with a Lawyer
  • Roadmap of the Disciplinary Process
  • Alternatives to Filing a Grievance
  • Filing a Grievance
  • Useful Definitions
  • What to Expect in the Disciplinary Process
  • Client Security Fund
  • My Lawyer is Deceased, Disabled, Disbarred, or Missing