The Lawyer Services Department runs a voluntary fee arbitration program to help clients and lawyers settle fee disputes. The sole purpose of the program is to decide the fair and reasonable value of a lawyer's legal work for the client. Both parties must agree to arbitrate and to the amount in controversy. The goal of the voluntary fee arbitration program is to resolve fee disputes quickly and efficiently. It provides for informal and prompt resolution of disputes between lawyers and their clients, disputes between lawyers and other lawyers, and other disputes including disputes between lawyers and other professionals regarding expert witness fees.
Mediation is confidential.
Unlike the arbitrator in a voluntary fee arbitration, the mediator does not make a final decision on the dispute, but merely serves as a facilitator to help the parties resolve their differences. The mission of the Washington State Bar Association is to promote justice and to serve its members and the public.