All arbitrators, both lawyers and members of the public, are volunteers who receive no compensation from either the State Bar of Wisconsin or any party involved in the arbitration. The State Bar of Wisconsin provides assistance to the Fee Arbitration Program by providing education and information about the program to the public and members of the State Bar and by providing coordination and administrative services to the parties and arbitrators involved in the program. That decision is final. The findings determine what fee is fair and reasonable under all the circumstances in each case. The award also states the period of time for payment or refund.
Arbitration is only binding if both the client and the lawyer agree to arbitrate.
According to the rules governing the Fee Arbitration Program, the losing party must make payment or refund within 15 days of receiving the decision, unless a payment schedule has been written into the decision. If payment or refund is not made within that time frame, the decision may be filed in the appropriate court for judgment. Ask your attorney to provide you with a written fee agreement. Make certain you understand what specific services are covered by the agreement, how you will be billed and what you will be charged. If you have questions after reviewing the agreement, bring these to the attention of your lawyer before signing the agreement.