• Program Overview
• Attorney/Client Fee Disputes
• Disputes Among Attorneys
• Early Settlement Program
• Mediation Services
• Forms & Rules
• ADR Directory

Disputes Among Attorneys

What is it?

A confidential and private program that offers an alternative to litigation for attorney-to-attorney disputes.

Costs.

There is an administrative fee per party to pay for the cost of running this program based on the amount of the dispute, not to exceed $5000 and split between the parties.

Steps.

1. Please review the Disputes Among Attorneys Rules of Procedure (108KB PDF)
   These rules govern the dispute program among attorneys. They may answer many of your questions.
2. When you decide that you want to engage in our services, please download:
   Request for Resolution of a Fee Dispute Among Attorneys (46KB PDF)
   and fill it out completely.

3. There is an administrative fee per party to pay for the cost of running this program based on the amount of the dispute, not to exceed $5000 and split between the parties. You can pay by check, money order or credit card.

   • Check or Money Order: Make checks payable to BASF/Attorney Disputes.
   • Credit Card: If you with to use a credit card, please download and complete the
     Attorney-Attorney Credit Card Charge Form (15KB PDF)

4. Mail your form and administrative fee to:

   BASF / Attorney Dispute Program
   301 Battery Street, Third Floor
   San Francisco, California 94111

5. We then send a "Reply" form to the other party and request that they complete the form and return it with the administrative fee.

6. At this time, both parties have the option of going through mediation first.

   This mediation is:

   Ninety percent of fee disputes brought into mediation reach a positive settlement!

   • voluntary, and both parties must agree to it
   • less formal, and often takes less time than arbitration
   • four hours or less of time involved
   • offered as a benefit covered by your administrative fee
7. If both parties agree to mediation, you will be notified of your assigned mediator.
8. The assigned mediator will contact you to set up a mediation date.
9. If you do not resolve your fee dispute in mediation, or if either party decides against mediation, it goes to arbitration.
10. We will assign you an arbitrator(s) after checking for any conflict of interest and you will be notified. We will also send you a "Request for Hearing Date" form to assist all parties in scheduling a convenient date.
11. The arbitrator will send out a "Notice of Hearing" with a time and date for your conference. The Award will be mailed to you within 30 days of your hearing.