Fee Arbitrator Appointment Application

Arbitrator appointments are volunteer appointments. By signing and submitting this application, you acknowledge that you have read the Rules of the State Bar of California for the appointment and requirements of fee arbitrators, meet the minimum qualifications for the position and understand that you are under a continuing obligation to report any of the events outlined in rule 3.582, if they occur, during your term of service. Further, you agree to complete the training requirements set forth in rule 3.582(D).

Before You Start:

To complete this application, you will need the following:

Rule 3.581 arbitrator qualifications: This question asks whether you have, or have been involved in, any of the following: civil litigation, criminal action(s), judgment(s) entered against you, past due child support obligations, professional discipline, and fee arbitration. If any of these apply to you, you will be able to provide additional details.

Current resume: Your resume should include employment history, educational background, and any volunteer activities and/or professional memberships.

Four professional references: For attorney applicants, three of the four references should be from attorneys or judges.

Statement of interest: A brief statement explaining why you are interested in becoming a volunteer fee arbitrator.

Arbitrator training: This question asks whether you have completed either an in-person or online fee arbitrator training and to provide the date of completion.

For attorney applicants: A short writing sample is optional but strongly recommended.

Application Information:

Items with an asterisk (*) are required. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and appointments are made periodically. Staff will contact you if additional information is needed. If you have any questions regarding this application form, contact the Mandatory Fee Arbitration program at feearb@calbar.ca.gov or 415-538-2020.

To begin, upload your resume and references:

Resume *

References (Four required; please combine into one file) *

1. Personal Information

I am volunteering to be a: *

Lawyer Arbitrator

Nonlawyer Arbitrator*

* To be qualified for appointment as a nonlawyer arbitrator with the State Bar of California’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program, an applicant must never have been an active or inactive licensee of the State Bar of any state or the District of Columbia or worked regularly for a public or private law office or practice, court of law or attended law school for any period of time. Paralegal assistants, law firm staff, and law clerks shall not serve as lay arbitrators.

First Name *

Middle Name

Last Name *

Mailing Address *

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone Number *

Email Address *

Office Address (if different from mailing address)

City

State

Zip Code

Please check any of the applicable boxes below:

I have been a party in civil litigation.	I have been a party in a criminal action.
I have had judgments entered against me.	I have child support debts that are past due.
I have been subject to professional discipline.	I have participated in mandatory fee arbitration as a party.

If you checked any of the boxes above, please provide details and the result of the event in question. *

You may upload additional documentation providing details and the result of the event in question.

1A. For Attorneys Only

Date Admitted in California * +

State Bar Number *

Type of Law Practiced: *

Civil

Criminal

Other (specify): Other (specify):

Which of the following best describes your practice area (select one): *

Private sector attorney working in a firm

In-house counsel

Public sector attorney

Legal services attorney

Other (please specify): Other (please specify):

Size of firm: *

Writing sample (Optional but recommended, 5 pages max)

2. Appointment-Related Information

Fee arbitration training: *

I attended a State Bar or local bar association-sponsored fee arbitration training.

I have not attended a State Bar or local bar association-sponsored fee arbitration training.

When did you complete your fee arbitrator training? +

Why are you interested in becoming an arbitrator? Attach additional pages if necessary. *

You may upload additional pages explaining your interest in becoming an arbitrator.

Fee arbitration hearings are generally held by videoconference, and case documents are provided to arbitrators electronically. How would you describe your proficiency with this type of technology? *

Very Proficient

Somewhat Proficient

Not Proficient

If you answered “Somewhat Proficient” or “Very Proficient,” in what programs/platforms are you proficient? *

Microsoft Office (Word, SharePoint, and Teams)	Adobe Acrobat
Zoom	Other (please specify): Other (please specify):

If you answered "Not Proficient," how would you describe your level of technological proficiency, generally? *

How did you hear about this volunteer opportunity? *

3. Diversity

It is one of the major strategic goals of the State Bar to advance fairness and accessibility in its mission to protect the public. To that end, we’d appreciate you answering the following questions. It is entirely optional and the information will be kept strictly confidential. It will be used only for aggregate analysis to improve the State Bar’s service to the public.

Gender Identity: (Select all that apply.)

Which of the following best applies to you? (Select all that apply.)

Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation or sexual identity? (Select all that apply.)

Race/ethnic group (Select all that apply.)

Do you identify as a person with a disability?

Yes

No

Decline to answer

Have you ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard?

Yes

No

Decline to answer

What age group describes you?

Unless otherwise noted, I authorize the investigation of all statements made in this application, including contacting employers and references. I state under penalty of perjury that all my statements on this application and any attachments are true, complete, and correct.

Applicant’s signature *

clear

Date * +

Application last revised: April 2024

Contact

Solo practitioner	2–5 attorneys
6–10 attorneys	11–25 attorneys
26–50 attorneys	51–100 attorneys
101+ attorneys

Board of Trustees member	State Bar committee member	Bar association	State Bar website
Social media	Email	Newsletter	Other Other

Female	Male
Gender Variant/Nonconforming/Nonbinary	Two Spirit
Decline to answer	Not listed (please specify): Not listed (please specify):

Cisgender	Transgender
Intersex	Decline to answer
Not listed (please specify): Not listed (please specify):

Lesbian	Gay
Bisexual	Heterosexual
Pansexual	Asexual
Decline to answer	Not listed (please specify): Not listed (please specify):

Hispanic/Latino	White	Black or African American
Asian	Middle Eastern or North African	American Indian or Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	Multiracial	Decline to answer
Other race, ethnicity, origin (please specify): Other race, ethnicity, origin (please specify):