All attorneys admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct. The purpose of the Rules is to set forth minimum ethical standards for the practice of law. It is the responsibility of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the Office of
Disciplinary Counsel to see that the Rules of Professional Conduct are observed.
For more information on the complaint filing process and to obtain a copy of the complaint form, go to the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board web site. There are no fees for you to file a complaint.
Complaint Forms should be sent to the following address:
The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
District IV Office
Suite 1300, Frick Building
437 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 565-3173
Fee Disputes
The Erie County Bar Association is a private membership organization for attorneys. We are not permitted to play any role in regulating the conduct of lawyers in Pennsylvania since that is handled by the Disciplinary Board. However, the Disciplinary Board does rely on bar associations to assist in certain functions, such as providing mediation in fee dispute matters.
The Erie County Bar Association’s Fee Dispute Committee is available to assist with resolving disputes over fees between a client and his/her attorney if this does occur. You can download a copy of the Fee Dispute Form below or contact the Erie County Bar Association office at (814) 459-3111 and one will be mailed to you.
When a Fee Dispute complaint form is received at the ECBA office, it is reviewed and, assuming merit, is forwarded to a panel of three attorneys who will conduct a hearing with the client and his/her attorney present. The client and attorney are given the option of making the panel’s decision binding. If either party declines to do so, the panel will still hear the dispute and make a non-binding recommendation to both parties.
There is no cost for a Fee Dispute hearing.