***THIS POST IS PART OF A SERIES DESIGNED TO HELP NORTH CAROLINA ATTORNEYS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NORTH CAROLINA GRIEVANCE PROCESS. STAY INFORMED ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND WHAT TO EXPECT AT EACH STAGE***

Receiving a Letter of Notice from the North Carolina State Bar means the Bar is investigating a complaint against you. How you respond can influence whether the case is dismissed or escalated.

Deadlines and Timeline

• You typically have 15 days to respond to a Letter of Notice.
• Extensions may be granted, but it’s best to request one early if needed.
• Failure to respond can result in discipline, even if you did nothing wrong.

Key Do’s and Don’ts in Your Response

✅ Do:

• Be professional and factual – Stick to the facts and avoid emotional responses.
• Address every allegation directly – Point-by-point explanations help clarify your position.
• Provide supporting evidence – Attach relevant documents that back up your response.
• Consult an attorney – If the allegations are serious, seek legal advice before responding.

❌ Don’t:

• Ignore the letter – Non-response is itself a violation.
• Dismiss the complaint as ridiculous – The Bar takes every grievance seriously.
• Blame the complainant – Focus on explaining your actions rather than attacking the other party.

Pro Tips for Crafting an Effective Response

• Use a calm, measured tone – Your response should be clear and respectful.
• Keep it concise – Avoid unnecessary details that don’t pertain to the ethics question at hand.
• Submit your response on time – Late responses may suggest a lack of cooperation.

Once your response is submitted, the Bar will review it and decide on the next steps. In our next post, we’ll cover what happens after your response is filed.