OMG, A Bar Complaint? What Now? Ethics CLE

OMG, A Bar Complaint? What Now?

Via Zoom

December 9, 2025

12:00-1:15 pm.

Description

Bar complaints are stressful.  This panel will demystify the complaint process and provide guidance about what to do—and not do—if you are the subject of a Board complaint, as well as provide simple tools to help manage the process and rachet down the stress level.

Speakers

Suzanne E. Thompson is Deputy Bar Counsel and Fund Counsel for the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar, focusing on legal ethics and disciplinary regulation and prosecution. As Deputy Bar Counsel, she investigates and prosecutes disciplinary complaints, provides ethical advice to Maine lawyers through the Maine Ethics Helpline and presents on Continuing Legal Education on a wide range of topics related to legal ethics. Before joining the Board in 2022, Suzanne was a civil litigator in a Portland law firm, specializing in domestic relations law, and served as a guardian ad litem.

Suzanne earned her BA in English Literature and Political Science from Saint Michael’s College, graduating magna cum laude, and graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School in 2006. She began her career as a law clerk for the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, gaining valuable experience in Worcester, Barnstable, Suffolk, and Essex. 

 
James M. Bowie is Of Counsel at Norman Hanson & DeTroy, LLC, where his practice focuses on lawyer’s professional liability and related matters before Maine and federal courts, as well as state licensing boards. Over the course of more than 48 years in practice, he has built a distinguished career representing licensed professionals—particularly attorneys—in complex litigation, disciplinary proceedings, and appeals.

Mr. Bowie has tried numerous legal malpractice cases to verdict in both state and federal courts and has appeared before the First Circuit and the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on issues involving legal negligence and professional responsibility. Beyond his extensive litigation practice, he has served as a member of the Professional Ethics Commission of the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar and on the task force responsible for implementing the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct.

In addition to his work in professional liability, Mr. Bowie practices in the areas of insurance and negligence law and frequently serves as a neutral in alternative dispute resolution matters. He has been a sought-after lecturer on legal ethics, malpractice, and professional responsibility issues for both state and national judicial and bar associations.

This program has been approved for one hour of ethics credit.  Zoom credentials will be emailed to registrants one day before the program.