Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program & Resources

Why Apply to be a State Bar Mandatory Fee Arbitrator? Apply to Be a Mandatory Fee Arbitrator Mandatory Fee Arbitration Approved Programs Arbitration Advisories

The State Bar’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration and voluntary Mediation Programs are informal, confidential, and lower-cost alternatives to court litigation for resolving fee disputes between attorneys and their clients. Fee dispute arbitration is required for an attorney if requested by a client.  In contrast, fee dispute mediation is optional for attorneys and clients and requires both parties to agree in order to proceed.

Most fee arbitration is conducted through local bar association programs. To request fee arbitration, contact the local county bar program where the majority of legal services were provided, typically the county where the attorney’s office is located. The State Bar provides fee arbitration only when there is no local bar program. Mediation of a fee dispute is voluntary and may be available through local bar associations. If the local bar association does not offer fee mediation, you may wish to pursue private mediation options.

For more information or assistance, call the State Bar Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program at 415-538-2020.

Forms and resources

When clients have a dispute with their attorneys, attorneys are required to give their clients a notice indicating that they have an option to go to arbitration. Listed below are fee arbitration forms and resources for attorneys. Note that the State Bar offers fee mediation as an option when fee arbitration is requested, provided that both parties agree to it.

Members of the public can visit our Fee Disputes webpage for consumer-oriented Mandatory Fee Arbitration forms and information.

Fee arbitration forms for attorneys

Additional resources