Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

1. Attorney files lawsuit against client for allegedly unpaid legal fees.

2. Client retains another attorney and files cross-complaint against attorney #1 for malpractice.

Or, at client's option,

2. Client files with county bar association for fee arbitration under state bar rules, the results of which are binding on the attorney but not on the client.

Before attorney can sue client, attorney must give client a Notice of Client's Right to Arbitration, then, 30-days later, attorney files lawsuit. The Notice of Client's Right to Arbitration must be a form approved by a local bar association, or the State Bar of California.

Mr. Hoffman is correct.