ALP, etc.
One of the most important decisions an applicant needs to make when going for a MA LTC/ALP is "do you use the services of an attorney to prepare, or at least review, your application prior to submittion."
If you are confident that your application is not going to run into problems based on your knowledge of the licensing authority, and how your background and qualifications will be received, it can make sense to go it alone.
If the licensing authority is reluctant to grant ALPs, and you have made a decision that you will not file a district court appeal or negotiate further with the issuing authority if issued a restricted license, it can also make sense to go it alone.
BUT....
If there is any questionable item in your background, or if your licensing authority is reluctant to issue ALPs and you have made the decision that you will appeal if issued a restricted permit, don't try to save money by foregoing a legal consultation to review your initial application. Each attorney has their own strategy for appeals - find one you feel comfortable with and can afford, and have that person review your application prior to submission. That way, the attorney will not have to "undo" damage gone in the initial application, or present information at the appeal which should already be in the application.
Remember, there are two basic types of appeals:
- Appealing the denial of an issuance of a license
- Appealing the issuance of a restricted license.
If you are qualified, you have a good chance at the first. The second one is very hard to accomplish, and a good attorney will be realistic about his/her track record and your chances of success.
And, if you think you can handle a court hearing along, I offer this true story of an applicant who was appealing a restriction without assistance of counsel:
Police Chief: I don't understand why we're here. I issued this person an LTC.
Applicant: Yes, but...
Court: That's it, case dismissed, next please
Applicant: But...
Court: I said case dismissed.