Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration

Committees

Purpose

The committee’s primary function is to oversee the mandatory attorney-client fee arbitration program established by Business & Professions Code Sections 6200-6206. Fee arbitration is currently provided by 35 local bar associations and State Bar programs.

The committee:

  • Reviews and comments upon any proposed legislation and tracks other legal developments that may affect either the mandatory fee arbitration program or attorney fee agreements in general;
  • Makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding amendments to the fee arbitration statutes, the State Bar’s Fee Arbitration Rules and local bar associations’ Rules of Procedure for Fee Arbitration, the Guidelines and Minimum Standards for the Operation of Mandatory Fee Arbitration Programs, and the State Bar’s Model Rules of Procedure;
  • Monitors developments in both substantive and procedural law relating to mandatory fee arbitration;
  • Oversees the State Bar’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration Department;
  • drafts the State Bar’s approved sample fee agreements, arbitration advisories and program advisories;
  • Conducts continuing education seminars, including fee arbitrator training sessions for fee arbitrators with the local and State Bar MCLE programs relating to legal fees.

Staff Contact: Isabel Liou, 415-538-2573, Isabel.Liou@calbar.ca.gov
2018 Chair: Lorraine M. Walsh

Past Meetings

Additional information