San Diego County Bar Association’s Fee Arbitration Program: Volunteer Your Time to Mend Fee Disputes Between Clients and Attorneys

Are you looking to volunteer your time? The San Diego County Bar Association is in need of volunteer non-attorney Lay Arbitrators for its Mandatory Fee Arbitration program. The fee arbitration program is a fair and impartial way for both clients and attorneys to mend fee disagreements. Fee arbitration is a common way for both parties to avoid filing a lawsuit in court. This program is governed and enforced by the State Bar of California. When fee disputes exceed $25,000.00 an Arbitration panel comprised of three members will hear the matter and one of the three must be a lay member.

Lay members are professionals with reasonable experience in dealing with contractual matters, a willingness to listen to both parties, and experience as a volunteer in a community. We are looking for people who are willing to evaluate fee disputes between clients and their attorneys.

Applicants must provide a list of six personal references. Arbitrators are more or less fact finders. They review written material provided by the parties, listen to the presentations of the parties, and then determine how much, if anything, remains due or must be refunded.

This is an opportunity to be of service to the community in assisting those who need to resolve serious issues involving attorney fees. Fee Arbitration hearings usually last half a day. A written Findings and Award is prepared based on the decision of the Arbitration Panel. This is a volunteer position and there is no compensation. Procedural matters are handled by the Coordinator of the Fee Arbitration Committee of the County Bar Association and the Presiding Arbitrator for each panel.

Lay Arbitrators are assigned to only one matter at a time, and may serve as frequently as requested. Matters are set for hearing at mutually agreeable times.

If you are interested in volunteering your time , please feel free to contact Michelle Chavez directly at 619-321-4150 or via e-mail at mchavez@sdcba.org.