The State Bar is actively recruiting for volunteer fee arbitrators. Attorney and nonattorney applicants are welcome to apply. View the application form.
Background
Most fee arbitration cases are handled by local bar associations. When a fee dispute arises, clients typically contact the local county bar where the legal services were provided.
If no local bar program exists, the State Bar steps in.
While applications will be considered regardless of where you work and live, State Bar arbitrators are particularly needed in the following counties:
Alameda
Butte, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo
Contra Costa
San Francisco
San Mateo
Ventura
What’s in it for you?
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For all arbitrators
Help your community and find personal fulfillment in resolving disputes.
Gain professional experience to advance your career.
Network with other professionals throughout California.
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For attorney arbitrators
Expand your practice to include an interesting area of law.
Meet pro bono service requirements, if your firm has them.
Gain quasi-judicial experience.
Learn best billing practices to avoid fee disputes in your own practice.
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What the work entails
Attorney arbitrators may serve as sole or panel arbitrators (up to three members).
Review electronic case files.
Hear testimony and evidence during the hearing, typically held via Zoom.
Draft written arbitration decisions after the hearing.
Online training is available and required every three years.
Who can apply?
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Attorney arbitrators
Minimum requirements:
Active license in good standing with the State Bar for at least five years or a retired judge.
No pending investigations or disciplinary actions.
Basic technology skills.
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Preferred qualifications:
10–20 years of experience.
Desired practice areas: family law, criminal law, estate planning, immigration.
Strong writing skills.
Comfortable conducting Zoom hearings.
Experience as a temporary judge (judge pro tem) is a plus.
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Lay arbitrators
Lay arbitrators are often accountants, appraisers, realtors, and others who have:
Experience in mediation and conflict resolution.
Background in financial/fiduciary roles.
Familiarity with reviewing contracts.
Flexible schedule (e.g., self-employed or retired professionals).
Minimum requirements:
No bar license: Must have never been an active or inactive licensee of any state bar or the District of Columbia.
No legal employment or education: Must not have regularly worked for a law office, court, or attended law school. Must not have worked as a paralegal, law firm staff, or law clerk.
No felony or moral turpitude convictions: Must have no felony convictions or misdemeanors involving dishonesty.
Basic technology skills.
Mandatory Fee Arbitrator Training Course
Before they are appointed to hear their first case, all arbitrator applicants, whether lawyers or nonlawyers, are required to complete a comprehensive training on arbitrating attorney-client fee disputes, offered through either the State Bar of California or a local bar association. The State Bar offers a free e-learning course. Find out how you can access this course below.
For lawyers
Log in to My State Bar Profile. Access the e-learning portal and select Catalog. Search for State Bar of California’s Mandatory Fee Arbitrator Training, and select Enroll. You’ll receive immediate access to the course through your account dashboard.
Lawyers can earn 2.0 hours of participatory Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit for completing this course (1.5 hours of general MCLE and 0.5 hours of ethics MCLE). Please note that only attorneys who have been licensed in California for five years or more are eligible to become a fee arbitrator.
For nonlawyers
If you are interested in becoming a fee arbitrator and would like to obtain access to the State Bar’s online Fee Arbitrator Training, visit the State Bar’s E-Learning Catalog. You may create an account and enroll in the online Fee Arbitrator Training at no cost. After you log in, select Catalog, search for the State Bar of California’s Mandatory Fee Arbitrator Training, and select Enroll. You’ll receive immediate access to the course through your account dashboard.
Ready to make a difference?
Join us in ensuring the fair resolution of fee disputes while gaining invaluable experience.
