Proposal to Eliminate the Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration

The State Bar is seeking public comment on a proposal to eliminate the Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration and replacing it with a staff-driven program.

Deadline: March 15, 2019

Background

In September 2018, the Board of Trustees approved recommendations regarding the number, size, organizational structure, and functions performed by many of the committees, commissions, boards, and councils that support the work of the State Bar also known as the "subentities."

Discussion

Only one substantive revision is proposed to the rules regarding Mandatory Fee Arbitration. A reference to the Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration has been eliminated from the rule.

Proposal

Rule 3.537 pertains to disqualification or discharge of arbitrators. A revision is proposed to Rule 3.537(C) which leaves the rule in tact with respect to arbitrators, but eliminates reference to the Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration. This is consistent with the elimination of the Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration and its replacement with a staff-driven program.

Non-substantive edits to the same rule are also proposed which make the language of the rule clearer and to note that the rule applies while arbitrators are serving in that role.

Any fiscal/personnel impact

To the extent that the Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration is eliminated, modest cost savings will be realized.

Background material

Board of Trustees Agenda Item

Source

Board of Trustees

Deadline

March 15, 2019

Direct comments to

Greg Shin
Special Projects Liaison
Admissions
State Bar of California
845 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213-765-1000
Email: Greg.Shin@calbar.ca.gov