LAWYERS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

If a complaint has been filed against you to the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (“OCSWSSW”), then you need the assistance of a knowledgeable and skilled professional discipline lawyer at your side. Posner Craig Stein (“PCS”) defends social workers in proceedings at the OCSWSSW. Being the target of a complaint and facing allegations of professional misconduct can be anxiety-provoking, frustrating, and time-consuming.  Entrusting PCS with your OCSWSSW case means that you will have an experienced and trusted advocate at your side throughout the complaints and discipline process. We understand the potential impact that patient complaints and professional misconduct allegations can have on your reputation and financial situation. We know that your livelihood can depend on ensuring that the complaint is found to be without merit and that allegations of professional misconduct are dismissed. Our lawyers work tirelessly, creatively – and in a relentless manner.

PCS social worker defence lawyers assist social workers in guiding them through the investigatory and response stages of an OCSWSSW complaint and audit. The earlier a social worker retains quality defence counsel, the better the opportunity to ensure you walk away with your reputation, license, and livelihood intact. In an audit, we will work in concert with you to ensure you are well prepared. In an investigation, we will ensure that all the relevant information that demonstrates your competence and integrity is placed before the investigator, so that the College has the tools it needs to dismiss any complaints against you.

The Complaints Committee screens complaints and can refer a social worker to the Discipline Committee for a hearing for professional misconduct or incompetence, or to the Fitness to Practise Committee for a hearing for incapacity. The Complaints Committee can also, instead of referring the complaint to the Discipline or Fitness to Practise Committee, refer the matter for alternative dispute resolution, order the social worker to attend for a caution in-person, order the social worker to complete remedial programming and further education, or take any other action it deems appropriate.

It is essential to consult with a lawyer for social workers at the earliest stage of the complaint process. PCS social worker defence lawyers have skill and expertise in crafting elegant, cogent and persuasive submissions to convince the Complaints Committee to dismiss the complaint. Your time, reputation, and finances can be saved by working early on to have the complaint dismissed.

Hearings before the Discipline and Fitness to Practice Committees involve hearing from witnesses, cross-examination, calling evidence, and making submissions before the panel. Our team of social worker defence lawyers have extensive expertise in these areas, developed over decades in tribunals and courtrooms across Ontario.

Carefully calibrated and effective cross-examination of witnesses called by the prosecution in your discipline proceeding can result in a dismissal of professional misconduct charges. The key to success is extensive preparation, skillful and targeted questioning, and the experience to adapt to the witness’s answers as they come. PCS social worker defence lawyers will bring these skills and attributes to your defence.

A social worker can seek to appeal the Discipline or Fitness to Practice Committee’s decision to the Divisional Court of Ontario. Appeals to the Divisional Court involve an examination of the record of the proceedings below, the drafting of legal arguments, and making oral arguments before a panel of Ontario Superior Court judges. PCS social worker defence lawyers are experienced in arguing cases before the Divisional Court and we will pursue every avenue to help protect your reputation, your medical license, and your financial well being.

Posner Craig Stein is the right social worker defence firm to handle complaints made against you because:

• We achieve the best possible results for our clients;
• Our advocacy skills, both written and oral, are highly respected;
• Our fees are highly competitive.

If you are a social worker and have been the subject of a complaint, it is to your benefit to retain an experienced social worker defence lawyer immediately. Posner Craig Stein may be able to help you avoid serious consequences, such as reputational and financial damage.

Come meet with us, in confidence, at our office, by phone, or a virtually to discuss your options today. Put your trust in the Posner Craig Stein team of highly skilled social worker defence lawyers with proven experience.