CSLB Defense Attorney

I defend contractors in license disciplinary proceedings initiated by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Whether the CSLB has opened an investigation, initiated mediation or arbitration, or issued an Accusation seeking revocation of your license, I can help. By hiring a CSLB defense attorney early in the process you can maximize your chances of resolving the disciplinary proceeding at minimal cost. Best of all, unlike many California license defense attorneys I charge a flat fee payable by credit card. To receive a free phone consultation and quote call my office at (916) 596-1018.

Flat Fees

If you visited a few CSLB defense attorney websites you probably noticed that they don’t talk about their fees. In truth, almost all license defense attorneys charge by the hour and cannot guarantee how many hours will be invested in your case. While this fee structure may sound appealing in the beginning, many clients cannot afford the skyrocketing attorney fees that accumulate before hearing. When clients run out of money and cannot pay their attorney’s monthly invoices the attorney withdraws from the case leaving the client with no value for their money. Indeed, a few license defense attorneys rarely see a license revocation hearing as they bill clients heavily before hearing only to withdraw when the client cannot pay.

Instead of hourly billing that often leaves clients without legal representation when they need it most, I charge flat fees payable by credit card. My transparent and predictable fee structure allows clients to understand the total cost of defending their license at all stages in the process. Furthermore, I charge my flat fee in installments so clients can save money when their case settles before hearing.

Settlement

Not every case proceeds to a formal administrative hearing. Sometimes a settlement can be reached in which the contractor accepts some form of discipline short of the maximum sought by the CSLB. For example, in the case of an Accusation seeking revocation of the license, a settlement may involve a letter of reprimand, license probation, suspension or a citation. The reduced discipline achieved through settlement affords the contractor certainty as to the outcome and reduced legal fees.

Accusation

When the CSLB issues an Accusation they are seeking revocation of the contractor’s license. After receipt of the Accusation the contractor has 15 days from the date of the Accusation to file a notice of defense to preserve their right to a formal administrative hearing. If the notice of defense is not filed by the deadline the license is revoked by default. However, if a notice of defense is timely filed a CSLB defense attorney may reach a stipulated settlement or defend the contractor in a formal administrative hearing. For many clients the optimal outcome is achieved by hiring an attorney early in the process.