Alameda County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

This institution needs improvement. The idea of having a referral service is commendable and makes perfect sense but should have some basic quality. I found that the implementation of this service is so-​so. It starts with the initial contact point. The lady who took my call had difficulty with hearing and comprehension. Getting simple things like a telephone number across was an ordeal. The web page promises that two referrals will be made. I got one. When calling again for the second one I got the same one again. The lawyer then took my call on a speaker phone in a car. He quickly confessed that he had no insights related to my situation and when asked specific questions he replied «I don’t know». This service needs a serious revamp. I got nothing out of it.

I called to receive a referral to a Pleasanton attorney, and my card was debited for $ 35., but attorney’s office has never returned my call. I’ve tried calling referral service back, but no response. Still waiting having already paid for services.

In 2010, I hired an Alameda County attorney whom I subsequently believed was inflating his bills and charging for services he was not providing and/​or were not necessary to my case. When I asked to have the intentionally vague bills clarified, the attorney refused, saying only that he would charge additional fees for any time he spent explaining. (A rather interesting policy and, as you might imagine, a frustrating situation to find myself in.)
Thankfully, I found another attorney who was able to advise me of The Alameda County Bar Association — Fee Arbitration Program. (There are also similar programs in numerous other California counties.)
I paid a relatively small filing fee (based on the amount disputed) and the matter was turned over to another area attorney, in the same field of practice, who volunteered his time to hear our dispute and write an unbiased opinion based on his own familiarity with the services performed and reasonable costs of same.
This arbitrator spent many hours of his own time (with zero compensation) in a very dedicated effort to find a fair resolution. Ultimately, he wrote a 26 page award (decision), finding that my concerns were entirely justified and that the attorney’s fees were nearly three times more than reasonable.
Unfortunately, The Fee Arbitration Program does not have the jurisdiction to impose any penalties — so my former attorney and others like him are free to continue cheating their clients — comfortable in the knowledge that, even if caught, the worst case scenario forces them only to return most of what they took unfairly.
Nonetheless, The Program helped immeasurably in finding some satisfaction and greatly mitigating the damages. In addition to the highly praiseworthy efforts of the above mentioned arbitrator (who deserves to be identified, but I’m not certain it’s proper), I also had contact with both women who oversee the program: Each was very patient, pleasant, understanding, and helpful. To everyone in the program, I offer my sincerest gratitude. I only wish more of the people being victimized knew of your existence.

They charged your $ 30 even you did not use their 30 minutes consultation.

I joined ACBA in 2009 as an associate with my interest in real estate and mediation.
The educational opportunities, seminars, networking are first class.
The attorney’s who give and share their experiences and time are top knotch.
In addition two thumbs up to the staff of ACBA, each of you are a credit and asset to this fine orgaization.
You are valued and appreciated.