Schatz v. Allen Matkins Leck Gamble & Mallory LLP

Opinion

MORENO, J.

Under the mandatory fee arbitration act (MFAA; Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6200 et seq.),1 when there is a fee dispute between an attorney and a client, the client may choose to submit the matter to arbitration by a local bar association. If the client elects such arbitration, the attorney must agree to arbitrate. The arbitration will be binding, however, only if the attorney and client so agree in writing after the dispute has arisen. Otherwise, either party may request a trial de novo within 30 days after the arbitration has concluded.

*562We consider in this case the relationship…