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Santa Monica Bar Association - Making Waves Since 1928 High quality networking and educational events for the Southern California legal community
Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program
Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program The Santa Monica Bar Association is proud to participate in the State of California's Mandatory Fee Arbitration (MFA) Program. The MFA Program is an informal, low cost program for resolving fee disputes between people and their lawyers. Our program provides both arbitration services and mediation services for all parties. Read more.

Attorney fee dispute services in Santa Monica

Sitting in the middle of Santa Monica, our association consists of nearly 400 active members. The SMBA is proud to participate in the State of California's Mandatory Fee Arbitration (MFA) Program. The MFA Program is an informal, low cost program for resolving fee disputes between people and their lawyers.

Our program provides both arbitration services and mediation services for all parties. The SMBA offers these services at the lowest prices possible while still maintaining quality service and help from an amazing panel of lawyers who are experts in their fields.

We welcome all qualified arbitrators (lawyers and non-lawyers) and mediators to participate in our program!

For more information, you can download our forms and our rules below. For further assistance, please contact us at 310-581-5163 or by email.

Contact us…

  • If you hired a lawyer and dispute the amount you owe your lawyer…
  • If you are a lawyer looking for a program to resolve a fee dispute with your client…
  • If you need assistance with a fee dispute case…
  • If you wish to volunteer to be part of our growing program…

Forms Available for Download:

Downloadable Forms Description
Arbitration Request Form Form to initiate a case with the SMBA Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program.
Attorney's Reply Form Form used by attorneys to respond when a client initiates a case.
Notice of Client's Right To Fee Arbitration California State Bar Form that describes clients' rights to arbitrate fee disputes
Rules of Arbitration SMBA rules that govern cases filed with the SMBA Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program. These rules have been approved by the California State Bar.
Rules of Mediation As an alternate to arbitration, parties may elect to resolve disputes through mediation. These rules govern that process.
Application for Appointment To be appointed as an arbitrator in our program, complete this form and attach verification of your completion of a mandatory fee arbitration training program.
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