The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Fee Dispute Resolution Program
Complaint Form for Fee Dispute Resolution

PLEASE FULLY ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
(Fill in this form, print it out and send with attachments to the above address.)

Your Name:

Home Telephone (include area code)
Business Telephone (include area code)

Attorney's Full Name:
Firm Name:

Telephone Number (include area code):

List names and addresses of others who were affected by this dispute:

Name of person who paid fee or is responsible for paying fee:

Have you made a good faith effort to resolve this dispute? Select Yes No

If so, give details including any offers you have made to the attorney or have received from him/her:
    Narrative #1:  Type answer on separate sheet and submit with this form.
 

Did you sign a written agreement for legal fees? Select Yes No
If so, please attach a copy.

Did you have an oral agreement for legal fees? Select Yes No

If so, what was your understanding?
     Narrative #2:  Type answer on separate sheet and submit with this form.
 

What is the total amount of the fee charged? $

Amount paid to attorney: $
Please attach copies of receipts or other proof of payment.

How much of the total amount is in dispute?
$

If you can, tell us the amount of the attorney fee that you feel is fair:
$

Is this dispute over attorney fees currently the subject of a lawsuit? Select Yes No

If so, attach copies of court documents.
(Please do not attach originals.)

Date that you employed the attorney:

Date that last legal services were provided:

Location where legal services were performed, or should have been performed:

Purpose for which you hired the attorney:

Please give details of the dispute in date order, and include (1) the nature of the dispute; (2) your position; (3) all relevant dates.
     Narrative #3:  Type answer on separate sheet and submit with this form.
 

I HEREBY CERTIFY WITH MY SIGNATURE THAT THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE.

THE UNDERSIGNED COMPLAINANT FURTHER AGREES TO AUTHORIZE ANY INVESTIGATOR APPOINTED BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS FEE DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ANY ALLEGED FEE DISPUTE AND TO MEET TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES INVOLVED WITH THE COMPLAINANT'S ATTORNEY OR ATTORNEYS. THE COMPLAINANT BY EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, FURTHER AUTHORIZES HIS OR HER ATTORNEY OR ATTORNEYS TO PROVIDE COPIES OF ANY DOCUMENTS OR PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION WHICH THE INVESTIGATOR MAY REQUEST IN CONNECTION WITH CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION AND WAIVES ANY ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

IN CONSIDERATION FOR THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE FEE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS, I HEREBY AGREE THAT IN NO EVENT WILL I SUE OR OTHERWISE ATTEMPT TO HOLD LIABLE FOR DAMAGES THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTION OF FEE DISPUTES, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, STAFF, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, INVESTIGATORS, MEDIATORS, ARBITRATORS OR ANY AGENTS OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS AS A RESULT OF ANY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THIS ACTION.

Date ___________ Signature ____________________________

Date ___________ Signature ____________________________

(We cannot process your fee dispute without your signature on the above complaint form, and the Agreement for binding Arbitration)

  The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Fee Dispute Resolution Program
Agreement to Binding Arbitration

Client: ________________________________

Attorney:______________________________

We each hereby agree to be bound by the decision of the arbitrator or the arbitration panel. We understand that the decision is final. We certify that no promises have been made regarding the results of the arbitration and that this agreement is filed in a voluntary effort to resolve the fee dispute recognizing that the results may be favorable or unfavorable to our position.

Complainant understands that if Respondent refuses to submit to this process the arbitration hearing may proceed ex-parte (without him/her being present), but in such case the decision will not be binding on the Respondent. We further understand that the panel will consist of one (1) member of the Committee if the amount in dispute is $3,500 or less. If the amount is over $3,500, the panel will consist of three (3) members composed of one attorney and two lay persons.

At a hearing we each will have the right to be heard, to present evidence, to cross-examine witnesses and to have an attorney present at our own expense. We have the right to seek subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and subpoenas duces tecum for the witnesses to bring documents to the hearing.

We have the right to adjournment for good cause.

We each understand that we are consenting to and will be bound by complete confidentiality regarding all proceedings, hearings, records, documents and files in this process except as necessary for the enforcement of a decision in accordance with BAMSL Rules.

We each acknowledge that we have received and read a full explanation of the arbitration process.

It is further agreed that we will promptly comply with the award determined by the arbitration process.

Attorney-Client Privilege Waiver
And Covenant Not To Sue

I HEREBY CERTIFY WITH MY SIGNATURE THAT THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE

THE UNDERSIGNED COMPLAINANT FURTHER AGREES TO AUTHORIZE ANY ARBITRATOR(S) APPOINTED BY BAMSL FEE DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE TO ARBITRATE ANY ALLEGED FEE DISPUTE AND TO MEET AND DISCUSS THE ISSUES INVOLVED WITH THE COMPLAINANT OR/AND ATTORNEYS. THE PARTIES, EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, FURTHER AUTHORIZE HIS OR HER ATTORNEY OR ATTORNEYS TO PROVIDE COPIES OF ANY DOCUMENTS OR PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION WHICH THE ARBITRATOR(S) MAY REQUEST IN CONNECTION WITH THE FEE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS AND WAIVES ANY ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

IN CONSIDERATION FOR THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE FEE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM OF BAMSL, WE HEREBY AGREE THAT IN NO EVENT WILL WE SUE OR OTHERWISE ATTEMPT TO HOLD LIABLE FOR DAMAGES, BAMSL, ITS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, STAFF, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, INVESTIGATORS, MEDIATORS, ARBITRATORS OR ANY AGENTS OF BAMSL AS A RESULT OF ANY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THIS ACTION.

THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION WHICH MAY BE ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.

WE CANNOT PROCESS YOUR FEE DISPUTE WITHOUT YOUR SIGNATURES ON ALL THE ABOVE COMPLAINT FORMS, WHICH INCLUDES:  THE COMPLAINT FORM, THE AGREEMENT FOR MEDIATION AND THE AGREEMENT FOR BINDING ARBITRATION.

Return these forms to: 
The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis 
720 Olive Street
Suite 2900
St. Louis, Missouri 63101