These summaries were prepared by McGuireWoods LLP lawyer Thomas E. Spahn. They are based on the letter opinions issued by the Virginia State Bar. Any editorial comments reflect Mr. Spahn's current personal views, and not the opinions of the Virginia State Bar, McGuireWoods or its clients. 
 
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8-Bills and Fees

21-Reporting Another Lawyer's Unethical Conduct

A lawyer and client agree to submit a fee dispute to a local bar association fee arbitration committee. If the lawyer acted unethically in charging the fee or failing to explain the fee to the client, the lawyer's submission to arbitration does not in itself save the lawyer from being reported to the Bar under DR 1-103(A). Although the Bar declines to indicate whether the lawyer acted unethically in the fee matter, it rules that any member of the fee arbitration committee concluding "upon a substantial degree of certainty" that the lawyer's misconduct violates DR 1-103(A) must report the conduct, "without unreasonable delay," to the Bar. Failure to do so would violate DR 1-103(A).

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn