Where the lawyer and client are not able to reach an understanding in a dispute over fees, the matter, like any other dispute over the value of services, may be resolved by court action. The State Bar of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Bar Association also operate fee arbitration committees. These committees have established procedures that frequently lead to a resolution of the dispute. They will send information explaining their procedures. If unethical conduct is revealed during the course of fee arbitration, the attorneys serving as arbitrators have an ethical duty to report that misconduct to this office for investigation.
Some grievances involve the conduct of judges.
We refer those matters to the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, which has jurisdiction over judicial conduct. When the initial review indicates a grievance could potentially involve misconduct, we begin an investigation. Often, more information is needed to fully evaluate the grievance. The grievant, the attorney or third parties may be contacted in order to obtain the additional information. Most investigations are completed by members of this office.