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• Unless your client has agreed, in writing, to arbitration under Business & Professions Code §6200-6206, arbitration of all disputes concerning fees, costs or both, under those sections is voluntary for a client and mandatory for an attorney if commenced by a client.
• An attorney must prior to or at the time of service of summons in a lawsuit or prior to or at the commencement of any other proceeding under a contract that provides for an alternative to arbitration under the above codes serve upon the client a written Notice of Client's Right to Arbitration (PDF document) using the format approved by the State Bar of California. The client has 30 days within which to contact the Bar Association to request arbitration.
• The client must complete the Request for Fee Arbitration and submit the appropriate filing fee to the MCBA office within the required time period of 30 days from the date of receipt of the Notice of Client’s Right To Arbitrate or the client will have waived their right to arbitrate.

Marin Bar Rules on Fee Arbitration

For more information, visit the State Bar of California Mandatory Fee Arbitration web site.

• Pertinent Portions of State Bar Act (Business & Professions Code Sections)
• Rules of Procedure for Fee Arbitrations and Enforcement of Awards by the State Bar of California
• State Bar of California Mandatory Fee Arbitration Advisories
• Fee Arbitrator Training by State Bar of California
• Arbitration Award Checklist

To file for mediation/arbitration, an attorney must complete the Attorney's Arbitration Statement (PDF document). You must enclose a check for the appropriate filing fee, or you may charge the fee to your VISA or Master Card.

Contact the MCBA for information or assistance at info@marinbar.org.