AUGUSTA — A Waterville attorney was issued a written warning Tuesday by a group that regulates attorney conduct and told to better communicate with potential clients.

J. William Batten, of Jabar, Batten & Ringer, received the warning following a hearing by a three-member grievance commission panel at the Augusta office of the Board of Overseers of the Bar.

The board regulates the professional conduct of lawyers and investigates allegations of misconduct.

Assistant Bar Counsel Aria Eee said Batten was looking into the viability of a claim of a potential client and took too long to respond to the person. The complaint against Batten came from that potential client, who was not identified.

Eee said the complaint was dismissed with a warning to Batten and that no misconduct was involved.

“He took full responsibility for having delayed in his communication with the potential client,” Eee said Tuesday morning shortly after the hearing.

Batten was represented at the hearing by attorney Philip Johnson. The complainant was not present, Eee said, but had been given a copy of the proposed order.

She said that client later found a lawyer to help him.

Batten, who declined comment Tuesday, has been an attorney in Maine since 1973.