Over the past decade, many teachers across the country have been disciplined, and even arrested in some cases, for having inappropriate sexual relations with students.  Most of these occurrences involve high school teachers and high school students; however, there have been some cases where middle school teachers and students have had inappropriate sexual relations.

While many teachers have certainly crossed the line by having a sexual relationship with a student, there are also situations where allegations may be untrue or grossly exaggerated.  If a student reports that an inappropriate relationship exists between a student and a teacher, school administration officials will take such allegations very seriously, even if there is evidence to suggest no relationship exists.  It is frustrating and unfortunate that many teachers are falsely accused of such serious and inappropriate conduct year after year.

Do What You Can to Protect Yourself

Many teachers accused of having inappropriate sexual relations with a student are well-liked by the majority of the student body.  When a teacher is well-liked, students may feel more comfortable speaking with that teacher.  Along with this comfort comes the possibility that a student may take something the wrong way.  A teacher’s kindness can sometimes be misinterpreted for affection, and when a teacher does not welcome a student’s inappropriate passes, that student may become upset and retaliatory.

While teachers should certainly not compromise their work ethic or alter the overall nature of their relationships with students, there are a few steps teachers can take to reduce the risk that they may be accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.  Such steps include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Have a class-wide conversation with students to discuss the importance of healthy student-teacher relationships, and why it is important that such relationships never go beyond anything more than teacher and student;
• When speaking with a student individually, teachers should do so during normal school hours, such as right before, during, or right after the school day has ended, and not in the late evenings or weekends;
• Minimize your discussion with students to school-related matters as much as possible;
• Avoid having one-on-one discussions with students in an empty classroom with the door shut, where no witnesses are nearby; and
• Be cognizant of the “rumors” you hear from students, as rumors are often how false allegations erupt.

There is no easy way to prevent the chance that you may be falsely accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.  However, if you take small, realistic measures, such as those described above, you will be better able to handle false allegations in the future, whether those allegations are against you or another teacher.  Documentation is everything, so it is important to keep a record of any meetings you have with students.  Such documentation will help down the road should an investigation unfold.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you are a Kansas teacher facing disciplinary charges, it is essential that you retain a highly skilled Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney.  The Kansas State Department of Education takes all complaints very seriously, especially in situations where a child may be involved.  Regardless of whether or not disciplinary action by the Kansas State Department of Education is legitimate, it is vital that you have an attorney by your side ready to defend your rights and help you keep your Kansas teaching license.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office is a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas who now devotes her law practice to representing Kansas professionals who are facing the potential loss of their licenses.  If you would like to speak with Ms. Sanger about your situation, contact the Sanger Law Office today to schedule your free consultation by calling (785) 979-4353.

Case referrals in the practice of law are rather ordinary, as not every attorney is able to handle any given type of case.  For example, if you are a family law attorney and receive a call from a potential client regarding a personal injury matter, you would likely refer that potential case to another attorney who may have more experience with that area of the law.

The simple act of referring a case from one attorney or law firm to another in and of itself is rather harmless.  After all, it is in the client’s best interest that he or she is receiving quality and competent legal advice from an attorney with the relevant skill and experience to handle that particular type of case.  However, there is a slippery slope that all Kansas attorneys should be aware of.

When referring a case to another attorney or law firm, the referring attorney cannot be compensated if he or she did absolutely no work on the case.  On the other hand, if an attorney investigates a potential case on his or her own, and does any other type of work on the case, that attorney may be able to receive compensation for that work.  For example, if you are a personal injury attorney, and you have “worked up” a car accident case, such as obtaining medical records, filing a complaint, and any other legal work associated with the case, you do have a legitimate stake in the case if you ultimately refer it to another attorney, whatever the reason may be for the referral.

One problem associated with the referral of cases occurs when attorneys do minimal or no work on a case, yet expect to get a percentage or some other measured compensation, and this is in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, both in Kansas, and in all other states.  Not all attorneys are aware of the scope of the rules regarding case referrals, and they may receive compensation for a case they may not have done any work on, simply because of a misunderstanding of the rules, and not through any intentional misconduct.

The “Referral Fee”

Many attorneys speak in terms of “referral fees,” and this can get them into trouble because there’s a connotation that an attorney can get a fee simply for sending a case along to someone else.  While most attorneys understand that a “referral fee” cannot be obtained unless legitimate work was done on the referring case, some attorneys mistakenly or unintentionally cross the line that is drawn by the Rules of Professional Conduct.

It is also crucial to have an understanding that a referral mean is not really what it says.  A referral fee that many attorneys speak of is simply the compensation the referring attorney is entitled to for the work he or she has done on the case.  The Kansas Office of Disciplinary Administrator would certainly take issue with an attorney who is essentially receiving payment for sending a case on to another attorney or law firm.  As such, you should take all measures possible to ensure your current referral practices comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

While you may not be at risk for losing your Kansas law license, it is still important that you are aware that disciplinary action is possible if you do not adhere to the rules of professional conduct when referring cases to other attorneys.  To ensure that you have a full understanding, you should consider speaking with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office devotes her law practice to helping her clients fight to keep their Kansas professional licenses, no matter what the particular profession may be.  As a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas, Danielle Sanger has unique experience that allows her to better prepare and represent her clients’ interests and rights.  If you would like to speak with Danielle Sanger, contact the Sanger Law Office today by calling (785) 979-4353 to schedule your free consultation.

Personal financial struggles and work life inevitably are entwined as your ability to pay your taxes and other bills are typically contingent on how successful you are financially in your profession.  The consequences of unpaid taxes can be especially stressful for Kansas attorneys who place their law license at risk if they continue to move forward in their profession without taking care of unpaid taxes.  As a Kansas attorney, your financial situation will never be exactly like another Kansas attorney’s financial situation.  However, when it comes to unpaid taxes, such conduct may be considered a reflection on your morality and ethics as an attorney.  The concern the Kansas Office of Disciplinary Administrator has is not so much about your inability to pay past debt is it is about ignoring your obligation to pay taxes.

What Are My Options?

If you are a Kansas attorney and you are unable to pay past due taxes, your Kansas law license is not automatically at risk for suspension or revocation.  However, you need to act quickly to demonstrate that you are not willfully ignoring past due taxes, but that you are instead making an effort to address your past due taxes lawfully.  Your options for addressing past due taxes include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:

• Making sure you file your tax returns on time, even if you are unable to pay the amount of tax you owe;
• Consider entering into an installment agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that will allow you to make reasonable monthly payments until all past due taxes have been paid;
• Discuss your financial options with an accountant or other financial professional; and
• Seek the advice of other attorneys and support groups available through the Kansas Bar.

It is unlikely that you will be at risk for losing your Kansas law license if you have legitimate financial issues that are preventing you from paying off unpaid taxes.  However, the decision to ignore the problem is what gets Kansas attorneys in trouble.  If you ignore the fact that you have unpaid taxes, it may look as though you are intentionally defrauding the government, even if this is not the case.  As such, regardless of what your individual financial circumstances are, it is crucial to ensure you are doing everything possible to keep your Kansas law license.  To have a thorough understanding of what is at risk for failing to satisfy unpaid taxes, it is important that you consider speaking with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney who can provide you with the resources you need to move forward.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

Being an attorney in Kansas carries with it responsibilities that many other individuals do not have.  If you are delinquent on your taxes, you could be at risk for facing the suspension or loss of your Kansas license to practice law.  If you are currently facing, or believe you may be facing, the potential loss of your license, it is imperative that you seek the guidance of a qualified Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney right away.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office is a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney who has the experience, skill, and dedication to help you fight the potential loss of your Kansas license to practice law.  As a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas, Danielle Sanger has a well-rounded background that allows her to provide her clients with superior legal representation.  To schedule your free consultation with Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney Danielle Sanger, contact the Sanger Law Office today by calling (785) 979-4353.

Sanitary conditions are essential to both the success of a business and to the health of each and every client, customer, and employee.  When conditions become unsanitary for any one of a number of reasons, employees, clients, and customers are at risk for becoming ill and/or contracting other diseases.  Sanitation is particularly important in the area of cosmetology where cosmetologists are working with multiple clients or customers on a daily basis.  When multiple people come into contact with shared equipment, or equipment that is supposed to be sanitized, heightened measures must be taken to ensure the risk of contamination and the spread of illnesses does not occur.

Common Reasons Why Conditions Become Unsanitary

Many Kansas cosmetology professionals have routinely been at risk for losing their professional license for failing to maintain sanitary work conditions.  Reasons for such unsanitary conditions include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:

• Failure to ensure all employees and professionals are washing their hands;
• Failure to put metal tools in proper sanitation solution;
• Failure to dispose of trash and other items that may have the potential for spreading germs;
• Failure to keep bathrooms and work area clean; and
• Failure to wash sheets, towels and other reusable materials.

Given that there are a variety of cosmetology sub-professions, the guidelines for maintaining sanitary conditions may not be the same across the board.  However, the Kansas Board of Cosmetology will likely treat all unsanitary work conditions similarly when determining whether or not disciplinary action should be taken for failing to maintain sanitary work conditions, as even the most minor incident could have devastating results if someone becomes seriously ill.

What You Can Do to Avoid the Loss of Your Cosmetology License

Preventing the suspension or loss of your Kansas cosmetology license starts with having a complete understanding of the rules and regulations regarding sanitation that govern your cosmetology profession.  The Kansas Board of Cosmetology has resources to help professionals stay up to date on rule changes and reminders on rules you may have forgotten.

Because sanitation is such a big issue for so many reasons, you need to do everything you can to maintain a sanitary work environment.  This includes communicating the need for a sanitary environment to other cosmetology professionals and employees that you work with.  Further, you can make an effort to ensure signs are properly posted in your business that remind customers to also wash their hands and take their own measures to keep the environment sanitary.

To have all of your questions answered and concerns addressed, it is a good idea to consider speaking with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney who can explain to you what is at risk for failure to maintain a sanitary work environment.  By contacting an attorney, you are not admitting fault in any way.  You are actually taking a positive step forward to find the answers you need to be a better cosmetology professional in Kansas, and to continue providing your clients and customers with the quality and sanitary service they deserve.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

No matter what education or how much experience a person has, mistakes do happen.  When mistakes happen in the workplace, they could place your Kansas cosmetology license at risk.  Unsanitary conditions that are a threat to clients and customers can be grounds for suspension or loss of your cosmetology license depending on the severity of the conduct and whether or not the conduct is repeated.  If your Kansas cosmetology license is at risk for suspension or revocation, you should consider speaking with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney right away.  Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office devotes her law practice to helping Kansas professionals keep their licenses to work in their respective industries.  If you would like to speak with Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney Danielle Sanger to discuss your situation, contact the Sanger Law Office today to schedule your free consultation by calling (785) 979-4353.

There are a variety of ways to lose a dental license, and the loss of a dental license can be detrimental to your ability to carry on your profession as a Kansas dentist.  Such reasons for the loss of a Kansas dental license are often the same reasons why attorneys, physicians, nurses, chiropractors, veterinarians, and other professionals lose their licenses.  However, in the case of dentistry, certain conduct may be deemed much more serious than it otherwise would in another profession, such as the practice of law.

Common reasons why Kansas dentists lose their professional licenses include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:

• Drug or alcohol abuse that goes untreated – The Kansas Dental Board wants dentists to receive treatment for any alcohol or drug problem, as such problems can affect the dentist’s ability to safely care for his or her patients.  If the Kansas Dental Board becomes aware of a dentist’s substance abuse, the Board will recommend that the dentist receive treatment in order to keep his or her dental license.  After receiving treatment, if a dentist can demonstrate that he or she has recovered and is able to provide patients with safe and effective care, then the dentist may be able to continue working as a dentist.  However, if the dentist relapses and places patients at risk for serious injury or death, then the Kansas Dental Board may consider revoking the dental license.
• Unauthorized prescription practices – Because dentists can prescribe medication as physicians can, many dentists use their ability to obtain prescription medication to either obtain the medication for him or herself for recreational purposes (such as strong pain medication), and/or obtains the prescription for the benefit of another person, the Kansas Dental Board may consider revoking the dentist’s license.
• Malpractice – If a dentist has seriously injured or killed a patient, the reason for the injury or death was a clear act of negligence, and such negligence could have been prevented, the Kansas Dental Board will question whether or not the dentist is fit to continue putting patients’ lives at risk.

Dentists are held to a very high standard, and they must always be in compliance with the Kansas Dental Board’s rules and regulations, in addition to all state and federal laws.  In addition to the reasons listed above, criminal conduct could result in the loss of a dentist’s license, depending on the nature and severity of the crime.  Because so much is at stake when facing the potential loss of your professional license, it is important to act quickly to protect your rights and interests as a Kansas dentist. 

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

The loss of your dental license can have devastating consequences for the foreseeable future.  While many dentists who have previously lost their license may be able to reapply and regain the dental license in the future, the prior loss of your dental license is information that could put your reputation at risk.  When facing the potential loss of your Kansas dental license, it is crucial to do everything you can to show the Kansas Dental Board why you deserve to keep your license.  In order to utilize all resources available to you, it is essential that you consider working with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney who has helped dentists overcome the hurdle of almost losing their dental license, convincing the Kansas Dental Board that the revocation of their dental license is not warranted.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office is a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas, devoting her law practice to helping Kansas professionals keep their professional licenses.  If you would like to discuss your situation with Danielle Sanger, contact the Sanger Law Office today to schedule a free consultation by calling (785) 979-4353.