Ervin, Cohen & Jessup, LLP v. Kassel

Opinion

JOHNSON, Acting P. J.

Ervin, Cohen & Jessup, LLP (EC&J), appeals from an order denying its motion to compel its former clients to arbitrate a dispute concerning legal fees and costs pursuant to an arbitration clause in a retainer agreement. Citing the Mandatory Fee Arbitration Act (MFAA), 1 the trial court concluded a predispute agreement for binding arbitration of a claim for unpaid fees and costs is unenforceable.

We find EC&J gave its former clients notice of their right to resolve the fee dispute via nonbinding arbitration under the MFAA. The clients failed to request such an…