Burnham & Gorokhov, PLLC

06/03/2026

Receiving notice of a complaint from the District of Columbia Bar can be extremely stressful for any attorney. Even when the allegations are unfounded or arise from a misunderstanding, a disciplinary complaint may place an attorney’s professional reputation, license, and future career at risk.

Many attorneys are unsure how seriously to take an initial complaint or whether the matter will simply “go away” if they provide a quick explanation. In reality, disciplinary matters should be approached carefully from the very beginning.

A Bar Complaint Does Not Automatically Mean Misconduct Occurred

Clients, opposing parties, judges, former employees, and others may file complaints with disciplinary authorities for many reasons. Some complaints involve serious allegations, while others stem from communication breakdowns, fee disputes, dissatisfaction with case outcomes, or misunderstandings regarding legal strategy.

Receiving notice of a complaint from the District of Columbia Bar can be extremely stressful for any attorney. Even when the allegations are unfounded or arise

06/03/2026

If a client or third party submits a complaint to the DC Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”), it will be reviewed by a lawyer from that office, known as an Assistant Disciplinary Counsel (“ADC”).

In basically all cases, the ADC will forward the complaint to the attorney and ask for a response. At this point, the matter has not been formally “docketed” for an investigation. ODC will use the attorney’s response in deciding whether the case merits a formal investigation.

The #1 goal in preparing your response is therefore to convince ODC that the complaint against you is so obviously without merit that no investigation is warranted. Exactly how you do this depends upon the specific allegations from the complainant and the facts of your representation. Perhaps you have a letter to the client that refutes the allegations, or perhaps you can simply explain your side of the story. Whenever possible, include supporting exhibits such as court filings or transcripts.

If a client or third party submits a complaint to the DC Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”), it will be reviewed by a lawyer from that office, known as

01/30/2026

Healthcare providers and professionals operate in one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States. Allegations of healthcare fraud, whether involving Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, or billing-related violations, can arise quickly and escalate into serious federal investigations. For physicians, practice owners, billing managers, executives, and healthcare companies, even a suspicion of wrongdoing can put careers, licenses, and livelihoods at risk.

At Burnham & Gorokhov, healthcare fraud defense focuses on intervening early, understanding the government’s theory of the case, and protecting clients at every stage of a federal investigation or prosecution.

What Is Considered Healthcare Fraud Under Federal Law?

Healthcare fraud generally involves allegations that a provider knowingly submitted false or misleading claims to government healthcare programs such as Medicare or Medicaid.

Healthcare providers and professionals operate in one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States. Allegations of healthcare fraud, whether in

04/11/2025

“Debarment” is a formal action by the federal government that excludes a person or company from receiving government contracts or grants for a specified period. It is a more severe sanction than a “suspension” and can completely shut down a federal contractor’s business for a period of time.

Debarment proceedings are governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) which sets for the procedures the government must follow and the rights of the respondents (i.e. the persons or companies the government is seeking to debar from federal contracts).

FAR 9.406-2 sets forth some of the reasons the government may disbar a person or company from federal contracting. Some of the reasons include committing fraud in connection with federal contracts, violating antitrust laws in the submission of offers, serious breaches of government contracts, and other reasons.

The government is required to give you notice of a proposed disbarment and an opportunity to respond before taking any action.

“Debarment” is a formal action by the federal government that excludes a person or company from receiving government contracts or grants for a specified per

02/26/2025

For nearly three years, the government denied our client, Akbar Masood, access to the evidence he needed to defend himself while simultaneously violating his right to a speedy trial. Despite these egregious delays and due process violations, the prosecution persisted in its baseless pursuit of charges against him.

Yesterday in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, justice finally prevailed (Read Opinion). The court dismissed all charges with prejudice, bringing an end to this unwarranted case. Mr. Masood, a highly respected executive, had been accused of conspiracy, wire fraud, health fraud, and aggravated identity theft—charges that never should have been brought in the first place.

Attorney Eugene Gorokhov of Burnham & Gorokhov led the defense, aggressively challenging the government’s misconduct and ensuring our client’s rights were upheld.

For nearly three years, the government denied our client, Akbar Masood, access to the evidence he needed to defend himself while simultaneously violating his ri

02/15/2025

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) is responsible for prosecuting ethical violations by attorneys in the District of Columbia. If you are a D.C. attorney who has received a Request for Information (ROI) from ODC, here are some key points you should know.
What is an ROI?
An ROI is a written request from ODC seeking information about a potential disciplinary violation. It serves two primary purposes:

To gather information that helps ODC determine whether formal charges should be filed.
To provide the attorney an opportunity to explain their side of the matter.

The ROI will include a "disciplinary docket number" at the top. This number is an internal reference used by ODC and does not mean that formal charges have been filed before the Board or the D.C. Court of Appeals.
What Information Does an ROI Request?
An ROI may ask for:

Specific documents, such as trust account records, engagement letters, or employment contracts.

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) is responsible for prosecuting ethical violations by attorneys in the District of Columbia. If you are a D.C. attorney

07/22/2024

International Money Laundering Charges: A Federal Criminal Defense Perspective As federal criminal defense lawyers at Burnham & Gorokhov, we understand the complexities and severity of money laundering charges, especially those involving international transactions. In today’s globalized world econ...

11/13/2023

On November 2, 2023, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange was found guilty of fraud and money laundering. Federal prosecutors are alleging that he defrauded FTX customers out of upwards of $8 billion. In his ongoing coverage of the case, Law360's Phil Bantz spoke with Attorney Eugene Gorokhov regarding the sentencing implications of SBF's conviction.

On November 2, 2023, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange was found guilty of fraud and money laundering. Federal prosecutors are

10/27/2023

Co-conspirator statements under Rule 801 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, governs hearsay and its exceptions in the U.S. legal system. Hearsay is considered a statement made outside of court that is offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Typically, hearsay is not admissible in court, but there are exceptions.

Co-conspirator statements under Rule 801 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, governs hearsay and its exceptions in the U.S. legal system. Hearsay is considered a

10/04/2023

Blockchain and crypto fraud attorney Eugene Gorokhov recently provided analysis for a Law360 article titled "What Crypto Attys Will Be Watching During The SBF Trial." The criminal trial of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the founder of FTX, on seven charges of wire fraud and conspiracy, has started in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.