Part 137 Attorney Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program

Rules and Forms for the Arbitration of Fee Disputes

The Brooklyn Bar Association Fee Dispute Resolution Program is set up to assist in the resolution of fee disputes between lawyers and clients through arbitration. 

To Request a fee arbitration:

• Complete the Client Request for Fee Arbitration form or the Attorney Request for Fee Arbitration form. Send your request with a scanned clear copy of your submission to part137@brooklynbar.org. Include all evidence that supports your claim, such as canceled checks, receipts, letters, and other papers regarding the dispute. 
• All documents must be sent in PDF format, and they must be numbered consecutively in the bottom right-hand corner and must not exceed 100 pages for each pdf document. Do not send zip files.
• The subject line of your e-mail should read as follows: “New Fee Dispute Request: [Your name] vs. [Opposing Party’s Name]”
• Mail the $175 administrative filing fee in the form of a check or money order payable to Brooklyn Bar Association to 123 Remsen Street Brooklyn, New York 11201. Please make sure that your payment notes the following in the memo line: “Part 137 Fee Dispute  “ [Your name] vs. [Opposing Party’s Name]”
• If submitting paperwork by mail YOU MUST send 3 x copies of your submission.

The arbitration and procedure identified on the Client Request for Fee Arbitration form is designed to be user friendly. You are free to attend these proceedings without counsel, and may also have a lawyer represent you or attend as a counselor if you choose. As part of the voluntary settlement of a fee dispute claim, you may be asked to sign a release which, as a matter of law in light of the language it contains, might be interpreted as release of all claims against the lawyer, including but not limited to, claims for professional malpractice. Should you be asked to sign any such release, the Joint Committee suggests that you consider consulting independent counsel. 

• Local Program Rules

• Standard Written Instructions and Procedures to Clients for the Resolution of Fee Disputes Pursuant to Part 137 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator

• Notice of Client’s Right to Arbitrate a Dispute Over a Refund of Attorneys Fees

• Client Request for Fee Arbitration

• Attorney Request for Fee Arbitration

To learn more about the Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program, visit the website for the Office of Court Administration