Attorney Arbitrator Requirements: Arbitrators must be active members of the State Bar of California with a minimum of five years of practice experience. Preference is given to individuals who have completed a State Bar–approved or equivalent arbitrator training program.

Non-Attorney Arbitrator Requirements: A lay arbitrator is a non-lawyer who has not been admitted to practice law in any jurisdiction; has never worked regularly for a court or a law practice of any kind as a paralegal, law clerk, or in any other capacity; and has never attended law school.

Mediator Requirements: Mediators should have experience serving on a court-appointed mediator panel and have completed formal mediation training through an approved mediation training program. Volunteers who agree to serve with BHBA’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration training program will receive complimentary access to BHBA’s 40-hour mediation training, if desired.