Volunteer Arbitrators Sought for D.C. Bar Fee Arbitration Service
The District of Columbia Bar Attorney/Client Arbitration Board (ACAB) provides a binding arbitration service for fee disputes between members of the District of Columbia Bar and their clients or former clients. Arbitration offers the public and members of the Bar an inexpensive, private method of resolving these disputes, which may range from small matters to complex controversies. The ACAB needs willing, conscientious arbitrators to hear these sensitive, important cases.
The ACAB relies upon volunteer arbitrators selected from the District of Columbia Bar membership and non-lawyers from the community. Lawyers and non-lawyer arbitrators serve in the same capacity on arbitration cases—as panel members, chairpersons, and sole arbitrators. Arbitrators approved by the ACAB serve three-year fixed terms and may be considered for reappointment with no term limit.
Although arbitrators serve without compensation, service as an arbitrator provides a unique opportunity to gain substantial insight into alternative dispute resolution, while serving a vital public service to the community.
Lawyer arbitrators must have been admitted to the D.C. Bar for at least five years as an active member, and maintain membership with the D.C. Bar, either in active, inactive, judicial or inactive/retired status. A lawyer must have no pending disciplinary complaints at the Office of Disciplinary Counsel or the Board on Professional Responsibility. Non-lawyer arbitrators must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and at least seven years of relevant experience and knowledge acquired in the business or professional world following completion of an undergraduate degree. All arbitrators must have good moral character and no pending criminal, professional or other complaints, which puts into question their moral character or fitness to serve as a neutral. All ACAB arbitrators must complete an ACAB training session for new arbitrators before accepting assignment to cases.
To be considered as a volunteer arbitrator, please complete the arbitrator application form, attach your resume, and the name, email address and phone number of two references who can be contacted by this office. Return the completed form and attachments to the address below no later than December 31, 2024.
Attorney/Client Arbitration Board
The District of Columbia Bar
901 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Email: [email protected]
For additional information about the ACAB’s services, please visit the D.C. Bar’s website at www.dcbar.org/acab. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Kathleen Lewis at (202) 780-2772 or [email protected].
