Lawyer Fee Dispute Resolution

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VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY ARBITRATORS NEEDED: The LSBA's Fee Dispute Arbitration Program is seeking volunteer arbitrators. Training is provided; all hearings take place by video conference; and arbitrators can earn one hour of professionalism CLE. If interested, complete the Attorney Arbitrator Data Form and email it to techcenter@lsba.org. 

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Since the 1990s, the LSBA fee dispute arbitration program has resolved minor attorney fee disputes between lawyers and their clients, or between lawyers. The arbitrators in the program are members of the bar who volunteer their time to provide this service and generally do not receive any compensation for their work as arbitrators. The LSBA charges a nominal fee for this service to help defray its administrative costs.

The LSBA fee dispute arbitration program is limited to the resolution of attorney fee disputes. The program is not equipped to handle all fee disputes that may be referred to it. The general guidelines are that the LSBA may decline to accept a proposed fee dispute arbitration if it appears that the dispute is too complex, involves multiple disputed issues or numerous parties, concerns unavailable parties, or would require substantial time to resolve. The LSBA will also decline matters if the attorney fee dispute is pending in another tribunal or is subject to a statutory construct such as a succession or worker’s compensation. While the program endeavors to accept as many disputes for resolution as possible, the program will decline a dispute if it appears that the dispute will require time or resources that the LSBA program is unable to provide.

If you are having a fee dispute with an attorney and wish to obtain the forms, rules, and guidelines to initiate the LSBA Lawyer Dispute Resolution Program, simply download the forms from this webpage. If you would like to speak to someone about the program, please contact Shawn L. Holahan, Esq. (shawn.holahan@lsba.org (504) 619-0153) or Lisa Watkins (lisa.watkins@lsba.org; (504) 619-0143). Please understand that the LSBA cannot give legal advice or represent anyone in their fee dispute.