Mandatory Fee Arbitration
We pride ourselves on our roster of highly qualified professionals. With years of experience across various law domains, we ensure that cases are managed by the best-suited individuals.
The program mainly serves disputes where the attorney's office is located in Los Angeles County or if a significant portion of the client's legal services were rendered there.
We pride ourselves on our roster of highly qualified professionals. With years of experience in all practice areas, we ensure that cases are managed by the best-suited individuals.
The filing fee is 5% (for disputes under $10,000) or 7% (for disputes of $10,000 or more) but never but never exceeds $5,000.
The Beverly Hills Bar Association’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program (MFAP) is a specialized service for resolving fee and/or cost disagreements between clients and their previous attorneys. This includes issues surrounding the return or refund of prepaid fees that haven’t been earned.
Key Features and Benefits of BHBA’s MFAP:
In order to initiate and undergo Mandatory Fee Arbitration, all parties must carefully follow established procedures. Select the tab that best applies to you to learn more.
While we cannot give you legal advice about your dispute, we are available to assist you with understanding the program and the procedures. For a better understanding of your rights, please read the rules carefully and if you have questions, contact the Mandatory Fee Arbitration office at or (310) 601-2442.
You pay the filing fee after completing the form. The filing fee must be paid at the time of filing this request and is based on the total amount in dispute. If the amount in dispute is $10,000 or less, you pay 5% of that amount plus a $50 non-refundable fee. If the amount in dispute is more than $10,000, you pay 7% of that amount plus a $50 non-refundable fee. The maximum filing fee is $5,000. When submitting this request by mail, the filing fee must be paid by check and attached to your completed form. Do not send cash.
The filing fee entitles you to up to four (4) hours of mediation time and /or four (4) hours of arbitration time. If the matter resolves in mediation, the fee can be part of the resolution agreement. If the matter proceeds to arbitration, the fee is then allocated in the arbitration award.
If you are initiating the fee dispute because you received a Notice of Client’s Right to Arbitration from the attorney, a returned form will affect your filing date. The filing date is the day that our office receives your completed form. If you do not file by the 30-day deadline as stated in the notice, you will have waived your right to arbitration, thereby allowing the attorney to sue you to collect fees.
If you have been sued, you may stay the action by filing a Notice of Automatic Stay form with a copy of your completed request for arbitration with the court and the attorney. This means the court will stop the proceeding until the mediation/arbitration is complete. Instructions for completing the form can be found here.
Beverly Hills Bar Association fee arbitration matters are governed by the State Bar of California rules of procedure for fee arbitrations. While we cannot give you legal advice about your dispute, we are available to assist you with understanding the program and the procedures. Please read the rules carefully and if you have questions, contact the Mandatory Fee Arbitration office at or (310) 601-2442.
BHBA has been a leader in the legal profession, advocating for justice, and serving the community since 1931, including founding groundbreaking public interest programs and becoming a nationally recognized provider of quality CLE programs and innovative member benefits. Lead. Advocate. Serve.
