If your complaint involves a Fee Dispute and the attorney is a member of the Bar Association of Lehigh County, the bar association maintains a Fee Dispute Committee, which considers and attempts to resolve disputes about the amounts of fees charged by members of that bar association. Exceptions to consideration are matters where fees are fixed by law, or where court or agency judgments are required. Committee opinions rendered are advisory only and are not binding upon the parties involved, unless all parties agree to be bound by the decision of the committee prior to hearing.

Participation in the Fee Dispute Committee process is voluntary for both the client and the attorney. On receipt of a complaint, the Bar Association of Lehigh County will forward a letter describing the process and requesting the client’s verification as to whether to proceed or not to proceed with fee dispute committee action at that time. On receipt of a positive response from the client, a request for participation will be sent to the attorney. The committee will proceed with a review of the complaint upon receiving both the client’s request and the agreement of the attorney concerned. The attorney will be provided with a copy of the client’s complaint, if it is requested.

The Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct is a lengthy document that the local bar association does not have available for provision to the general public. The Rules may be accessed on the internet. Simply search for “Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct” via your search engine.You also may review these rules, which are a part of the Pennsylvania Rules of Court, at your local library or at the Lehigh County Law Library that is located in the Lehigh County Courthouse.

A client may initiate a request for fee dispute committee consideration by submitting the written complaint to the bar association, along with copies of substantiating materials if available. Do not send original materials.  No phone calls.  No electronic submissions.

Send written complaints to:

The Bar Association of Lehigh County

attn: Fee Dispute Committee

1114 West Walnut Street

Allentown, PA 18102-4734

North Penn Legal Services provides free legal aid services on civil cases to low-income families, individuals, and groups in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

1114 West Walnut Street   Allentown, PA 18102-4734   Phone: 610.433.6204   Fax: 610.770.9826

LEGAL FEE DISPUTE

©2009 THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF LEHIGH COUNTY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Website Design By Tiger Team Solutions, LLC

             Some documents require Adobe Reader

         DOWNLOAD ADOBE READER for free!