Attorney Fee Arbitration
The Client Relations Committee of the Palo Alto Area Bar Association administers the attorney-client fee arbitration program, a service by which attorneys and clients may resolve their attorney fee disputes outside the courtroom.
California law has provided for the private arbitration of fee disputes between clients and attorneys since 1979. Business and Professions Code sections 6200-6206 were enacted to provide an alternative to the courts to resolve disputes between clients and their attorneys concerning fees.
Disputes are heard by a single arbitrator if the amount in dispute is below $7,500. If the amount is over $7,500, then three arbitrators are selected, two lawyers and one lay-person, to constitute a panel to hear the dispute. All arbitrators donate their time to provide this service to the Community and the bar. The arbitration is non-binding, unless the parties choose to make it binding.
Arbitrators hear evidence regarding claims of professional negligence but shall consider that evidence only as it relates to the reasonableness of the fee charged. No award of affirmative relief may be granted to a client for a claim of malpractice or professional negligence. Attorney fees incurred by the parties in participating in the arbitration are not awardable to either party.
For more information about the Fee Arbitration contact: Brian W. Newcomb |
Phone: (650) 322-7780 Fax: (650) 327-0619 |
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