Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California

Fee dispute
My lawyer quit my case four days before my trial in family court for "medical" reasons that were never fully explained to me. I went to trial in pro per after being unable to arrange new representation on such short notice. This was in October 1998. Now, some 8 months later, my lawyer presents me with a bill for $2,100 for pre-trial preparations for that hearing. I don't think the charges are fair. What is the best way to address this?

Asked on 6/24/99, 4:00 pm

Jed Somit Jed Somit, Attorney at Law

0 users found helpful

0 attorneys agreed

Re: Fee dispute

Either wait for the attorney to sue you, and present your

defense in small claims court. If the attorney sues you in a

higher court, he will have to serve a Notice of Right to Arbitration,

stating you may have the matter heard before a county fee arbitration

panel or one from the State Bar. You can then decide if you want the

matter heard in a fee arbitration before the court case goes forward.

Or, take the initiative and apply to the local county bar association (or if

none, the State Bar of California) for a fee arbitration.

Answered on 7/07/99, 3:53 pm

Keywords

Match Any Match All

Country

State

Area of Law