A Broward County Medical License Investigation Moves Fast.
You Need a Specialized Attorney Who Moves Faster.
Fort Lauderdale sits at the center of one of Florida’s most active medical licensing markets. The Florida Department of Health opens cases against Broward County medical professionals every week. Kenneth J. Metzger, Board-Certified medical licensure attorney defends those professionals — and has done so across South Florida for decades.
Fort Lauderdale Is One of Florida’s Busiest Healthcare Hubs — and One of Its Most Scrutinized
Broward County’s economy runs on its healthcare professionals. The corridor of hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices — from Broward Health to Memorial Healthcare — means a high volume of licensed practitioners, and a corresponding volume of DOH complaints.
When a complaint lands, medical professionals in Fort Lauderdale often make the same mistake: they think they can handle the response themselves. The investigation letter reads like a formality. It is not. It is the start of a process that, without legal counsel, can move quickly toward a formal hearing.
Kenneth J. Metzger, Board-Certified medical licensure attorney is a specialized, Board-Certified Florida attorney whose entire practice is built around administrative and regulatory defense. From his Tallahassee office — steps from the DOH and Division of Administrative Hearings — he handles medical licensing cases for Fort Lauderdale professionals who need someone at the table in the capital. Review our Florida medical licensure defense practice areas or Metzger & Associates firm overview.
Kenneth J. Metzger, Esq. — Key Credentials
- Board-Certified — FL Bar: State & Federal Government & Administrative Practice
- AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell (highest tier)
- Selected by Florida Super Lawyers
- Medical Malpractice Defense Counsel
- Former Criminal Trial Practice
- Staff Judge Advocate, Naval Medical Command Southeast Region (9 states)
- Prior Healthcare Facilities Practice (including Florida Hospitals)
- Former DOAH Attorney for the Department (2 years) & Instructor
- Authorized counsel for major professional liability insurance carriers
What Fort Lauderdale Medical Professionals Come to Us For
1. Medical License Defense
DOH complaints against Fort Lauderdale physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers. See our full Florida medical licensure defense practice areas.
2. Healthcare Facility Compliance
Licensing and regulatory defense for Fort Lauderdale-area clinics, urgent care centers, pharmacies, and other regulated healthcare facilities facing DOH or AHCA actions.
3. Administrative Hearings (DOAH)
Formal proceedings before a Division of Administrative Hearings judge. Mr. Metzger served as a DOAH attorney for the Department — if your case reaches this stage, you need representation that treats it as the full legal proceeding it is.
4. License Investigation Response
Received a DOH letter? schedule a free medical license defense consultation immediately — we take over all agency communication from day one.
5. Licensing Applications with Complex Backgrounds
Prior disciplinary history, criminal records, or out-of-jurisdiction issues can complicate a Fort Lauderdale medical professional’s licensing application. We help present those circumstances in the best possible light.
Tallahassee Access. Statewide Reach. Real Results.
01 — Direct access to the agencies that decide your case.
Florida’s DOH and DOAH are headquartered in Tallahassee. Kenneth J. Metzger, Board-Certified medical licensure attorney‘s office is there. That proximity means face-to-face meetings with the prosecutors and decision-makers on your file.
02 — Board-certified in the only area that matters here.
Board certification from the Florida Bar in State & Federal Government & Administrative Practice is uncommon and difficult to obtain — the clearest external signal that an attorney actually knows this area of law.
03 — He has worked this process from the inside.
Mr. Metzger served as a DOAH attorney for the Department and as an instructor for approximately two years. He knows exactly how disciplinary cases are built — and where they can be challenged.
04 — Trusted by corporate medical employers, their insurance carriers, and referring attorneys statewide.
Mr. Metzger handles cases that cross criminal, civil, and administrative arenas and is trusted by medical employers and insurance carriers statewide.
Fort Lauderdale medical professionals call us because they need someone who already has a working relationship with the agencies they are up against — not someone who will introduce themselves for the first time after they have been retained.
How We Handle Fort Lauderdale Medical Licensure Cases
Step 01 — Free Initial Consultation
You walk us through what you have received and what has happened. We give you a direct, honest assessment of your situation and what the realistic options are. schedule a free medical license defense consultation — there is no obligation.
Step 02 — We Take Over Communication
Once retained, all agency contact goes through our office. Investigators, prosecutors, and board staff deal with us — not directly with you.
Step 03 — Case Strategy and Preparation
We review the complaint, identify strengths and weaknesses, gather supporting documentation, and build the most effective legal response available. Learn more about our Florida medical licensure defense practice areas.
Step 04 — Resolution
We pursue the best outcome at every stage — case dismissal, negotiated resolution, or aggressive defense at a formal hearing. Protecting your license and your livelihood is the measure of success.
What Fort Lauderdale Medical Professionals Ask Us Most
Q: I am a Fort Lauderdale nurse practitioner and I received a complaint letter from the DOH. What happens next?
It is serious and should be treated as such from the start. A DOH investigation can result in formal charges, a public disciplinary proceeding, and sanctions ranging from a reprimand to license revocation. The seriousness of the complaint — and how it is handled from the very beginning — determines how the process unfolds. An experienced attorney is better able to resolve matters at the investigation stage, before formal charges are ever filed. schedule a free medical license defense consultation for a free, confidential consultation.
Q: How long does a Florida DOH medical licensing investigation typically take?
It varies considerably. Some matters resolve within a few months with a well-crafted written response. Others escalate to formal hearings that can take a year or more. The earlier you engage an attorney, the more influence you have over that timeline.
Q: A competitor filed a complaint against my Fort Lauderdale medical practice. Is that grounds for a DOH investigation?
Yes. DOH investigates complaints regardless of the source. The identity of the complainant does not determine the outcome — how the matter is handled legally does. We regularly defend medical professionals against complaints motivated by competitive or personal interests rather than legitimate patient safety concerns.
Q: Can you represent Fort Lauderdale professionals even though your office is in Tallahassee?
Yes, and the Tallahassee location is an important reason we are effective in these cases statewide. All of Florida’s major medical licensing agencies — the DOH and the Division of Administrative Hearings — are based in Tallahassee. We communicate with Fort Lauderdale clients by phone, video conference, and in-person meetings when appropriate, while handling all agency interaction from our Tallahassee office. Kenneth J. Metzger, Board-Certified medical licensure attorney to learn more about his background and approach.
Q: Is the initial consultation free?
Yes. We offer a free initial consultation with no obligation. You describe your situation, we assess it honestly, and you leave with a clear picture of your options. There is no charge for that conversation. schedule a free medical license defense consultation to get started.
Fort Lauderdale Medical Professionals: Your License Is Worth Defending.
The call costs you nothing. The consultation is confidential. Acting sooner means more options, not fewer.
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The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this page. Results in prior matters do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases.