Attorney fee disputes are often a result from a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship or in the fee agreement.  Mediation is the quickest, simplest, and most cost effective way to resolve attorney fee disputes.  NALFA offers a private mediation service specifically designed to resolve attorney fee disputes of all types and sizes.

NALFA has identified 4 types of fee disputes that qualify for our mediation program:

1. Attorney-Client Fee Dispute: Dispute between an attorney and a client over the reasonableness of fees/costs in a case.
2. Opposing Party Fee Dispute: Dispute between a prevailing party and a non-prevailing party over the reasonableness of fees/costs in a fee-shifting case.
3. Attorney Fee Allocation Dispute: Dispute among attorneys over their share of fees.
4. Attorney Fee Entitlement Dispute: Dispute among attorneys over entitlement to fees.

NALFA members include fully trained and qualified fee dispute mediators from across the U.S.  Our fee dispute mediators are uniquely qualified to resolve fee disputes between parties in a cost effective and confidential manner.  Our members are trained neutrals who understand the underlying issues in fee and billing disputes.  Our members include former judges, seasoned litigators, and in-house counsel. 

Our members are highly knowledgeable on reasonable attorney fees and proper legal billing practices.  They understand the array of issues in fee dispute cases such as fee agreements, hourly rates, tasked performed, fee entitlement, attorney fee ethics, and fee award factors.  Our members can often provide each side with an unbiased assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of their case.  They can also discuss with the parties what might happen if the fee dispute does not settle. 

Since our program began in 2012, NALFA’s Fee Dispute Mediation Program has achieved a 86% resolution rate—parties who mediate in a session are resolved four out of every five times.  This rate is significantly higher than most bar-administered fee dispute programs.

NALFA is dedicated to providing parties a mediation process that offers flexibility, a level playing field, and time and cost savings.  Parties control when and where the mediation will occur, who will serve as the mediator, and whether they will accept a settlement offer.  Unlike most bar-administered programs, NALFA stays with the case for as long as necessary to bring it to a final resolution.

If you're unable to resolve your fee dispute matter on your own, contact NALFA at 312.907.7275 or Submit A Case Online.