Mandatory Fee Arbitration Approved Programs

Look for your county in the chart below. Counties in italics do not have State Bar-approved Mandatory Fee Arbitration programs. If your county does not have a fee arbitration program, contact the State Bar at 415-538-2020. 

Fresno County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Fresno County Bar Association
2444 Main Street, Suite 125
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-264-2619
Fax: 559-264-8726
Email: angelicanunez@fresnocountybar.org
Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney has an office in Fresno County or maintained an office in Fresno County at the time the services were rendered or the client resides in the County and a majority of the services were rendered in Fresno County. Will arbitrate with incarcerated clients. Fee Waiver Program.

Filing Fee
$50 for disputes up to and including $500.
$75 for disputes over $500 and up to and including $1,000.
$100 for disputes over $1,000 and up to and including $5,000.
$250 for disputes over $5,000 and up to and including $10,000.
$750 for disputes over $10,000.

Panel Size
1 for disputes of $10,000 or less.
3 for disputes over $10,000.

Kern County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Kern County Bar Association
1112 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 661-334-4700
Fax: 661-334-4701
Email: info@kernbar.org
Fee Arbitration Program

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney’s office in county, or client resides in county and substantial legal services rendered in county. Fee Waiver Program. No incarcerated clients.

Filing Fee
A base fee of $50 for all cases plus 5 percent of the amount in dispute.
A maximum filing fee of $5,000.

Panel Size
1 for less than $7,500.
3 for $7,500 or over.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATIONS

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Beverly Hills Bar Association
9420 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite B-100
Beverly Hills, CA 90212-3169
Phone: 310-601-2442
Email: feearb@bhba.org
Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program

Filing Jurisdiction
If at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has an office in Los Angeles County or Ventura County, or maintained an office in Los Angeles County or Ventura County at the times the services were rendered, or where the majority of legal services were provided. No incarcerated clients. Fee waiver program.

Filing Fee
5 percent of amount in dispute, with a maximum fee of $5,000.

Panel Size
1 for $25,000 or less.
3 for over $25,000.

Glendale Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Glendale Bar Association
P.O. Box 4238
Glendale, CA 92122
Phone: 213-340-7317
Email: info@glendalebar.com
Fee Disputes

Filing Jurisdiction
If at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has an office in Los Angeles County or maintained an office in Los Angeles County at the times the services were rendered, or where the majority of legal services were provided. No incarcerated clients.

Filing Fee
5 percent of amount in dispute. $50 minimum, $5,000 maximum.

Panel Size
1 for $10,000 or less.
3 for over $10,000.

Long Beach Bar Association

NOTE: The Long Beach Bar Association is currently not accepting new cases until further notice.

Fee Arbitration Administrator
Long Beach Bar Association
3515 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90807
Phone: 562-988-6444
Fee Arbitration Rules and Forms

Filing Jurisdiction
At least one of the attorneys involved presently maintains or maintained an office in Los Angeles County at the time services were performed, or if a substantial amount of services were performed in Los Angeles County. Fee Waiver Program. Will arbitrate with incarcerated clients.

Filing Fee
$50 for any amount in dispute equal to or less than $1,499.99. 
4 percent of the amount in dispute for disputes between $1,500.00 and $14,999.99.
5 percent of the amount in dispute for disputes of $15,000.00 or more, with a maximum filing fee of $5,000.

Panel Size
1 if less than $15,000 and 3 arbitrators if $15,000 or more.

Los Angeles County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Los Angeles County Bar Association
P.O. Box 55020
Los Angeles, CA 90055-0020
Phone: 213-896-6426
Email: acmas@lacba.org
Mediation and Arbitration Services

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney’s office in county or substantial legal services rendered in county. Client must agree to binding arbitration if disputed amount is less than $10,000. Also offering fee dispute mediation. Will not arbitrate with incarcerated clients. Fee Waiver Program.

Filing Fee
$50 plus 5 percent of amount in dispute when total amount in dispute is less than $10,000.
6 percent of amount in dispute when total amount in dispute is $10,000 or more but less than $20,000.
7 percent of amount in dispute when total amount in dispute is $20,000 or more with a maximum fee of $7,500.

Panel Size
1 if $25,000 or less.
3 if over $25,000.

San Gabriel Valley Lawyer Referral Service

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
San Gabriel Valley Lawyer Referral Service
1175 East Garvey Avenue Suite 105
Covina, CA 91724-3618
Phone: 626-966-5530
Email: info@sgvlawyer.org
Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney has an office in Los Angeles or maintained an office at the time service was rendered, or substantial service was provided in Los Angeles County. Will not arbitrate with incarcerated clients.

Filing Fee
$100 plus 5 percent of the disputed amount if the amount in dispute is less than $5,000.
$100 plus 6 percent of the disputed amount if the amount in dispute is $5,000 or more and less than $10,000.
$100 plus 7 percent when the amount in dispute is $10,000 or more with a $4,000 maximum filing fee.

Panel Size
1 for $25,000 or less.
3 for over $25,000.

Santa Monica Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Santa Monica Bar Association
2461 Santa Monica Boulevard #529
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: 310-450-9289
Mandatory Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
If at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has an office in Los Angeles County or maintained an office in Los Angeles County at the times the services were rendered.

Offering fee dispute mediation. Will arbitrate with incarcerated clients. Fee Waiver Program.

Filing Fee
5 percent of the amount in dispute for disputes up to  $10,000 with a minimum of $100.
7 percent of the amount in dispute when the total amount in dispute is $10,000 or more with a maximum fee of $5,000.

Panel Size
1 for disputes of $15,000 or less.
3 for disputes over $15,000.

Marin County Bar Association

NOTE: The Marin County Bar Association is temporarily suspending their program and is currently not accepting new cases. They will continue to administer cases already filed with their program. 

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Marin County Bar Association
101 Lucas Valley Road #326
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: 415-499-1314
Fee Dispute Resolution

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney’s office in county, or substantial legal services rendered in county. Fee Waiver Program.

Filing Fee Schedule
5 percent of the amount in dispute when the amount is less than $10,000.
7 percent of the amount in dispute when the amount is $10,000 or more with a minimum fee of $50 and a maximum of $7,000.

Panel Size
1 for $15,000 or less.
3 for over $15,000.

Monterey County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Administrator
Monterey County Bar Association
2620 Colonel Durham Street
Seaside, CA 93955
Phone: 831-582-5400, ext. 2
Email: feearbitration@montereycountybar.org
Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
If a substantial portion of the legal services was performed in Monterey or Santa Cruz County, or at least one of the attorneys in the dispute maintained an office in Monterey or Santa Cruz County at the time the services were rendered. Fee waiver program.

Filing Fee
$100 for disputes less than $7,500;
$250 for disputes of $7,500 or more but less than $15,000;
$500 for disputes of $15,000 or more but less than $25,000;
$1,000 for disputes of $25,000 or more but less than $30,000;
$1,500 for disputes of $30,000 or more but less than $40,000;
$2,000 for disputes of $40,000 or more but less than $150,000; or
$7,500 for disputes of $150,000 or more.

Panel Size
1 for disputes of $25,000 or less.
3 for disputes over $25,000.

Nevada County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Committee
Nevada County Bar Association
P.O. Box 1473
Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: 530-432-0851
Fee Arbitration Program

Filing Jurisdiction
If the majority of services were provided in the county.

Filing Fee
$150 if the amount in dispute is under $10,000.
$300 if the amount in dispute is $10,000 or over.

Panel Size
1 if the amount in dispute is under $10,000.
3 if the disputed amount is $10,000 or over.

Orange County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Orange County Bar Association
P.O. Box 6130
Newport Beach, CA 92658
Phone: 949-440-6700 ext. 153
Email: feearbitration@ocbar.org
Disputing Attorney Fees

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney’s office in county, substantial legal services rendered in county, client resides in county and no program in attorney’s county, or by stipulation of both parties. Client must agree to binding arbitration if dispute is less than $1,500. Offering fee dispute mediation.

Filing Fee
$75 for $1 - $1,500.
5 percent of amount for over $1,500 with a $5,000 maximum.

Panel Size
1 for $10,000 or less
3 for over  $10,000

RIVERSIDE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATIONS

Desert Bar Association

Desert Bar Association
Fee Resolution Committee
Phone: 760-851-4886
Email: arbitration@desertbar.com
Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney’s office maintained in county and majority of legal services provided within Coachella Valley. Will arbitrate with incarcerated clients. No fee wavier.

Filing Fee
The filing fee shall be 5 percent of the amount in dispute with a minimum fee of $150.00 and a maximum of $5,000.

Panel Size
1 if $25,000 or less.
3 if over $25,000.

Riverside County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Riverside County Bar Association
4129 Main Street, Suite 100
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-682-1015
Fax: 951-682-0106
Email: rcba@riversidecountybar.com
Attorney Fee Arbitration Service

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney’s office in county, or substantial legal services rendered in county. Won’t arbitrate if in jurisdiction of Desert Bar, unless a conflict with Desert area attorneys is specified in writing. Will arbitrate with incarcerated clients. Fee Waiver Program.

Filing Fee
5 percent of the amount in dispute when the amount is less than $10,000.
7 percent of the amount in dispute for disputes of $10,000 or more with a minimum fee of $100 and a maximum of $5,000.

 Panel Size
1 for $5,000 or less.
3 for over $5,000.

Sacramento County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Sacramento County Bar Association
8928 Volunteer Lane, Suite 250 
Sacramento, CA 95826
Phone: 916-604-9726
Fax: 916-564-3787
Email: feearb@sacbar.org
Mandatory Fee Arbitration Service

Filing Jurisdiction
If a substantial portion of the services were performed in the county or the attorney has, or had at the time of services, an office in the county. Fee Waiver Program. Does not arbitrate with incarcerated clients.

Filing Fee
$100 plus 5 percent of the disputed amount if the amount in dispute is less than $5,000.
$100 plus 6 percent of the disputed amount if the amount in dispute is $5,000 or more and less than $10,000.
$100 plus 7 percent when the amount in dispute is $10,000 or more with a maximum filing fee of $7,500.

Panel Size
1 if the disputed amount is $25,000 or less.
3 if the amount in dispute is over $25,000.

San Bernardino County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
San Bernardino County Bar Association
1902 Orange Tree Lane, Suite 100
Redlands, CA 92374
Phone: 909-885-1986
Email: bar@sbcba.org
Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney’s office in county, client resides in county, or if substantial legal services performed in county. Will not arbitrate with incarcerated clients.

Filing Fee
$100 for disputes up to $1,500.
7 percent of the amount in dispute for disputes from $1,501 up to $50,000.
$3,500 for disputes over $50,000.

Panel Size
1 if $25,000 or less.
3 for over $25,000.

Western San Bernardino County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Western San Bernardino County Bar Association
P.O. Box 624
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729
Phone: 909-483-0548
Fax: 909-481-0553
Email: mail@wsbcba.org
Fee Arbitration Program

Filing Jurisdiction
Substantial legal services performed in county, or at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has an office in county, or maintained an office in county at the time services were rendered. Fee waiver program.

Filing Fee
5 percent of the amount of the dispute, with a $100 minimum and $3,000 maximum.

Panel Size
1 if $15,000 or less.
3 for over $15,000.

San Diego County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
San Diego County Bar Association
330 A Street
San Diego, CA 92101-4213
Phone: 619-231-0781
Email: arbitration@sdcba.org
Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney’s office in county or, substantial services rendered in county. Fee Waiver program. Will arbitrate with incarcerated clients. A voluntary Fee Mediation program is offered.

Filing Fee
5 percent of amount in dispute with a $75 minimum and $7,500 maximum. $250 will be charged per $1,000,000 in dispute over the first $1,000,000 in dispute.

Panel Size
1 if the dispute is less than $25,000.
3 for disputes of $25,000 or more.

San Luis Obispo County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Post Office Box 585
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Phone: 805-541-5930
Email: info@slobar.org
Fee Dispute Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney must have an office in the county or have performed substantial legal service in the county. Fee waiver program.

Filing Fee
$50 for disputes under $5,000.
$100 for disputes of $5,000 or more but less than $10,000.
1 percent of amount in dispute for cases of $10,000 or more.
Fee is not to exceed $5,000.

Panel Size
1 for $25,000 or less.
3 for over $25,000.

Santa Barbara County Bar Association

Marietta Jablonka
Santa Barbara County Bar Association
15 West Carrillo Street Suite 106
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: 805-569-5511
Fax: 805-569-2888
Email: sblawdirector@sblaw.org
Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
Attorney’s office in county or substantial legal services rendered in county. Will arbitrate with incarcerated clients. No fee waiver program.

Filing Fee
For disputes involving $2,000 or less -- $100.00, nonrefundable.
For disputes involving more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 -- $100.00, nonrefundable, plus 5 percent of the amount in dispute in excess of $2,000.
For disputes involving $10,000 or more -- $500.00, $100.00 of which is nonrefundable, plus 7 percent of the amount in dispute in excess of $10,000, but in no case shall the fee arbitration filing fee exceed $5,000.

Panel Size
1 for $25,000 or less.
3 for over $25,000.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATIONS

Palo Alto Area Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Palo Alto Area Bar Association
855 El Camino Real, Suite 13A #309
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Email: info@paaba.org
Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
If a substantial portion of the legal services were performed in, or at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has, or maintained an office in: Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Portola Valley, or Woodside at the time services were rendered.

Filing Fee
$50 for $1,000 or less.
$100 for $1,001-$5,000.
$150 for $5,001-$15,000.
$250 for $15,001 or more.

Panel Size
1 if $10,000 or less.
3 if over $10,000.

Santa Clara County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Santa Clara County Bar Association
P.O. Box 26457
San Jose, CA 95159
Phone: 669-204-3100
Email: MaryG@sccba.com
Mandatory Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
If a substantial portion of the services were performed in Santa Clara County or at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has or had an office in Santa Clara County at the time the services were rendered. Fee waiver program. Will arbitrate with incarcerated clients.

NOTICE: The Palo Alto Area Bar Association accepts cases involving an attorney with an office located or maintained in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Los Alto Hills, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, or Woodside, at the time services were rendered. Please refer to the Palo Alto Area Bar Association entry above for information on filing a request for arbitration of fee dispute arising in one of these cities.

Filing Fee
$54 up to $1,000.
$162 for $1,001-$5,000.
$270 for $5,001-$10,000.
8 percent of amount with a $7,500 maximum for over $10,000.

Panel Size
1 if $10,000 or less.
3 if over $10,000.

Sonoma County Bar Association

Sonoma County Bar Association
Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
3035 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 205
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: 707-542-1190 x190
Email: win@sonomacountybar.org
Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program

Filing Jurisdiction
A substantial portion of the legal services were performed in the county or attorney has or maintained an office in county at the time legal services performed. Fee waiver program.

Filing Fee
$250.00 plus 5 percent of the amount in dispute for disputes up to $5,000.
$500.00 plus 5 percent for disputes over $5,000 and under $10,000.
$500.00 plus 7 percent  for disputes of $10,000 and above.
Maximum fee amount is $7,500.

Panel Size
1 for less than $10,000.
3 for $10,000 and over.

Sutter County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Yuba-Sutter Bar Association
P.O. Box 204
Marysville, CA 95901
Phone: 530-671-1161
Fee Arbitration Forms

Filing Jurisdiction
The Program shall have jurisdiction over a fee dispute if a substantial portion of the legal services was performed in the Yuba or Sutter County, or at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has an office in Yuba or Sutter County or maintained an office in Yuba or Sutter County at the times the services were rendered. Fee Waiver program.

Filing Fee
$100 for disputes at or over $5,000.
$50 for disputes up to $5,000.

Panel Size
1 for less than $5,000, or by stipulation.
3 for $5,000 or more.

Tulare County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Tulare County Bar Association
P. O. Box 1711
Visalia, CA 93279-1711
Phone: 559-697-5503
Email: tularecobar@gmail.com
Fee Arbitration

Filing Jurisdiction
If at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has or maintained an office in the county at the time services were rendered. Disputed amount must be $1000 or more.

Filing Fee
$50 for disputes up to $1,000.
$100 for disputes over $5,000.
$150 for disputes up to $15,000.
$250 for disputes up to $25,000.
$500 for disputes up to over $25,000.

Panel Size
1 for $25,000 or less.
3 for over $25,000.

Ventura County Bar Association

NOTE: The Ventura County Bar Association is not accepting new cases. They will continue to administer cases already filed with their program.

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Ventura County Bar Association
4475 Market Street, Suite B
Ventura, CA 93003
Phone: 805-650-7599
Email: bar@vcba.org
Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program

Filing Jurisdiction
If a substantial portion of the legal services was performed in the county, or at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has an office in the county or maintained an office there at the times the services were rendered.

Filing Fee
$200 for disputes up to $5,000.
$400 for disputes $5,001 to $10,000.
$600 for disputes $10,001 to $20,000.
$1200 for disputes $20,001 to $50,000.
$1600 for disputes over $50,000.

Panel Size
1 if the dispute is $10,000 or less.
3 if the dispute is over $10,000.

Yuba County Bar Association

Fee Arbitration Program Administrator
Yuba-Sutter Bar Association
P.O. Box 204
Marysville, CA 95901
Phone: 530-671-1161
Fee Arbitration Forms

Filing Jurisdiction
The Program shall have jurisdiction over a fee dispute if a substantial portion of the legal services was performed in the Yuba or Sutter County, or at least one of the attorneys involved in the dispute has an office in Yuba or Sutter County or maintained an office in Yuba or Sutter County at the times the services were rendered. Fee Waiver program.

Filing Fee
$100 for disputes at or over $5,000.
$50 for disputes up to $5,000.