Team Bertolino Spotlight

Welcome to the Team, Holly Taskov!

We are pleased to welcome Holly Taskov to Bertolino LLP as our newest Paralegal.

Holly brings a diverse professional background and a strong commitment to client service. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Kent State University and continued her education through paralegal studies at the University of Tennessee at Martin. As she continues to grow her legal career, she is working toward becoming NALA-certified.

Before entering the legal profession, Holly built extensive experience in public accounting and spent 12 years as a licensed real estate agent. These roles helped her develop exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, qualities that make her a valuable resource for both our attorneys and clients.

Holly's dedication to professional development, combined with her client-focused approach, makes her a wonderful addition to our growing team. We are excited to have her on board and look forward to the contributions she will make in serving the professionals who trust Bertolino LLP with their legal matters.

Health Insurance Carrier v. MA

Facts: MA retained Bertolino LLP after he was denied coverage due to current disciplinary action. MA was currently under a probated suspension with their licensing agency. The insurance carrier denied coverage due to the suspension and MA appealed the determination and asked for a hearing.  

Outcome: At the hearing, Bertolino LLP provided evidence and argument about the terms of the order. Evidence at trial was provided to better explain that MA’s license was not suspended but that they were simply on probation. The order was further explained to show that MA was not under any new obligations, restrictions or conditions that any other license holder did not also have to follow. Lastly, Bertolino LLP demonstrated through MA’s testimony that he did not admit to the allegations within the order, nor did the agency prove the allegations. He only agreed to the order to avoid the cost and emotional burdens of trial. After analysis of the evidence, the denial was overturned and MA was permitted to have coverage.

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy v. TE

Facts: TE retained Bertolino LLP to help them in applying for licensure. TE was already licensed out of state but got a job in Texas that required him to get licensed with the TSBPA. TE had several prior criminal incidents related to alcohol and they wanted to avoid any issues with disclosure

Outcome: Bertolino LLP drafted a supplemental disclosure of all TE’s arrests, deferred adjudications and convictions including their current deferred and pending community supervision. Bertolino LLP provided argument and evidence within the disclosure advising that many of these instances were youthful indiscretions and that TE had learned from his mistakes. We also provided evidence of past and current treatment and why the most recent treatment was substantially different than prior treatments which is what caused the change in TE sobriety. After analysis of the evidence TSBPA issued TE a license without public disciplinary action or restriction and allowed them to complete a private monitoring program.

Texas Medical Board v. TT

Facts: TT retained Bertolino LLP to help them in applying for licensure. TT originally needed help in disclosing a prior DUI, but after looking into the issues more, Bertolino LLP also determined that further disclosures were necessary.

Outcome: Bertolino LLP drafted a supplemental disclosure of TE’s conviction and his termination from two programs and a termination of a prior license with another state agency. Bertolino LLP provided argument and evidence within the disclosure advising that the DUI was an isolated event and akin to a youthful indiscretion that TMB did not have authority over. Next, they explained that the terminations were both due to the same issue involving the DUI and the licensure was terminated as TT was no longer enrolled in either program. After analysis of the application, TMB issued TT licensure without restriction.

BHEC vs. DD

Facts: Our client, DD, hired us to assist in protecting her license from disciplinary action after failing to file a mandatory disclosure in accordance with state regulations.  

Outcome:  The Firm analyzed the facts in the case. It was determined that favorable mitigating circumstances may lead to a favorable outcome.    The Firm crafted a robust response arguing favorable mitigating factors, and BHEC took no action against DD’s license.    Since the Firm successfully defended DD’s livelihood, career, and reputation, DD can continue to pursue her professional passions.   

A recent group of cases I handled before a state-wide licensing agency where people’s livelihoods are at stake reminded me of just how important it is to retain the right sort of legal counsel early to protect your license, whether it’s in front of your licensing agency, or in the courtroom.  

All three had similar situations, but one hired Bertolino LLP at the beginning and avoided loss of the license, one hired an inexperienced lawyer and waited until the middle of the legal process to hire Bertolino LLP after disaster struck, and one represented themselves until the tail end of the agency adjudication process, significantly limiting their legal options.  Each one had significantly different prospects, options and outcomes because early involvement of the right attorney makes all the difference in the world.  

Telling yourself you can handle it on your own or that your best friend’s family law attorney who did a great job handling his divorce will suffice is not going to protect your license, it’s only going to cause more problems.  This article will discuss what you can do to protect your license and avoid further legal risks by hiring the right attorney up front. 

It’s the Unknowns That Harm You 

When you decide not to hire legal counsel immediately, or hire a lawyer who does not regularly practice license defense law, you expose yourself to harm from the unknown.  In today’s world of AI, internet research, and technology tools it’s easy to think you can handle the case at the beginning and get a lawyer later if you need one.  Or certainly any lawyer will do because these tech tools should even the playing field, right?  Not so. 

Sure, anyone can download from the internet or consult with AI about what you need to do to respond to a lawsuit or defend yourself before a licensing agency.  And maybe you can even find instructions on the types of arguments, legal theories and evidence objections one might raise.  But does you or your best friend’s excellent DWI criminal lawyer have a clue about the intricacies of license defense law based on years of representing thousands of licensed professionals?  Not by a longshot.  What you’re left with at best is a half-baked, AI driven defense that is anemic, missing key components and lacks the nuanced and knowledge-driven skill that comes with years of practicing in this unique arena.  Your license, your professional reputation, your livelihood demand much more. 

You wouldn’t settle for calling a plumber to solve an electrical problem just because plumbers and electricians both work on houses and you wouldn’t ask your dermatologist to help with your brain surgery just because the physician handled your skin cancer scare and mole removal surgery well.  Likewise, you wouldn’t be comfortable getting instructions from ChatGPT on the steps for performing a root canal and set up in your garage with your household Dremel tool to give yourself a root canal.  Your license deserves more.  Will it cost more?  Yes, but not in the long run when you compare it to the costs of choosing poorly.

You must find a lawyer who knows this niche area of the law and deals with professional licensing issues in front of agencies and in courtrooms to protect your license, livelihood and professional reputation.  The stakes are just too high to do anything less. 

The Costs Are Too High When Your License is On the Line

What happens when you don’t obtain qualified legal counsel from the start?  Well, now your skilled lawyer now must fix the deficient work (that created more damage to your case) plus the original problems, and you are behind the curve because of delays in hiring the right attorney and there is now more work to address.  And you now have fewer legal options because those unknowns that we not originally identified early and addressed have now harmed your defense because of time, legal, evidence or procedural requirements, limitations and restrictions you or an unqualified lawyer missed. 

Now, the damage is done, the license lost, the civil judgment imposed, or the disciplinary action imposed.  At best you may be stuck with a malpractice claim against an unqualified lawyer who should not have promised to help with your case.  Or worse, you handled the matter yourself and have no recourse.  But you cannot recover from the self-inflicted wounds caused by delayed involvement of the right lawyer.

They Takeaways You Need to Protect Your License 

In summary, what you need to remember is: 

• Don’t wait.  Time is critical and options shrink quickly so hire a lawyer immediately when you face a legal issue, complaint or problem. 

• Hire the right lawyer.  License defense is a niche area that requires unique experience, knowledge and training, so make sure you hire a lawyer known for their administrative law, license defense, and malpractice litigation expertise. 

• Don’t Handle your own legal matter.  Treat your license with the care necessary to protect your livelihood and professional reputation by obtaining a professional license defense counsel. 

Contact Bertolino LLP immediately when you face a legal issue impacting your license.  We bring decades of skilled experience to bear to protect your professional or occupational license when legal challenges surface. 

A Day on the Lake with the Bertolino LLP Team

At Bertolino LLP, our team works hard every day to fulfill our mission of providing the strongest possible license defense for our clients. While our work keeps us focused on serving those who trust us with their cases, opportunities to step away from the office and connect as a team are invaluable.

Recently, our team enjoyed a day on the lake together, and it was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relationships, welcome newer team members, and reconnect with colleagues across the firm. Many team members were also able to bring their significant others, making the event even more meaningful.

Highlights from the day included:

• Building stronger connections with teammates outside of the workplace

• Getting to know new employees and their families

• Sharing stories, experiences, and interests beyond our daily work

• Creating stronger relationships that help us collaborate more effectively

• Enjoying a fun and relaxing day together in a beautiful setting

Events like these remind us that great teams are built not only through hard work, but also through meaningful connections and shared experiences.

A special thank you to Tony R. Bertolino for making this memorable outing possible. We are grateful for the opportunity to spend time together and continue building the strong culture that makes Bertolino LLP such a special place to work.

Jasen Dalus, Client Success Manager and DJ Collora, Client Success Liaison the 90s theme team winners!

Troy Beaulieu, Esq. Director of Legal Services and the boombox! Our team did a great job keeping the 90s theme!

One of our newest team members, Colleen Raza, our Law Firm Receptionist, along with her fiancé, Seth Rainey.