Social workers play an important role in many people’s lives, and they are required to complete years of training, pass examinations, and be of good moral character in order to obtain a professional license. When a social worker receives a complaint or accusations that may affect their license, it is important to act quickly to address these matters and avoid or minimize disciplinary action.
The attorneys of Williams & Nickl, LLC have represented clients in a wide variety of cases before the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), including the Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board. We have more than 55 combined years of experience handling professional licensing issues, and Attorney Edward Williams formerly served as Chief of Prosecutions at IDFPR. With our understanding of the IDFPR’s formal and informal policies and procedures, we can help you protect your license and continue serving as a social worker.
Those who hold Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licenses may face a variety of disciplinary matters. We can assist with cases involving:
When addressing licensing issues, it is important to work with an attorney who has an understanding of the applicable laws and regulations, as well as the policies and procedures for administrative review of these cases. Fred and Edward know how the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act (225 ILCS 20, et. seq.) and other relevant statutes apply to these cases. We also understand the rules defined in the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-1, et. seq.), the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (5 ILCS 100/1-1, et. seq.), and the Rules of Practice in Administrative Hearings (68 ILAC 1110.5, et seq.). With our knowledge and experience, you can rest assured that you will have a skilled legal advocate on your side who can help you reach a positive outcome to your case.
When applying for a LSW or LCSW license, you may receive a Notice of Deficiency Checklist or a request from the IDFPR to provide information about your background. This request may ask you to provide information about previous criminal convictions, DUI arrests, or discipline that occurred in a sister state, and you may be concerned about how your response will affect your license application.
Before acting on any of these requests, you should speak to our attorneys to determine the best way to respond. We will discuss your situation in a free, one-hour consultation, where we will help you understand your options. Everyone’s circumstances are different, and in many cases, we help applicants understand how to address their situations without our assistance. In other cases, we may work with you to draft a response to the IDFPR that will answer questions effectively and allow your license to be issued quickly.
We have successfully worked with applicants for multiple types of professional licenses. In one case, we assisted a nurse who had been waiting for three months for the IDFPR to act after responding to the department’s requests. With our assistance, her license was issued within three days.
At Williams & Nickl, LLC, we can help you take steps to protect your social worker license, no matter the nature of the complaint or the potential forms of discipline you are facing. In your complimentary consultation, we can talk to you in-person or over the phone, and we will help you understand the best strategies for success. With our decades of experience representing clients in these cases and our knowledge of IDFPR procedures, we can provide you with the defense you need. In many cases, we are able to help our clients avoid any public discipline to their professional licenses. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us by calling 312-335-9470.
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