What can I do if I disagree with my Georgia lawyer over the fee charged?
A dispute over an attorney’s fee has several recognized paths in Georgia, starting with the written agreement and the lawyer’s own explanation and extending, if needed, to an independent fee-dispute review or the courts. The first step is usually to understand exactly how the fee was calculated before deciding how to challenge it.
Start with the contract and a clear accounting ¶
Most Georgia personal-injury fees are contingent, meaning the lawyer is paid a percentage of the recovery, with litigation costs handled separately. The written agreement controls, so reviewing it is the natural first move. A client who questions the charge can ask for an itemized accounting that shows the gross recovery, the fee percentage applied, the costs deducted, any liens or subrogation paid, and the net amount to the client. Often a disagreement dissolves once the math is laid out, because costs and liens are sometimes mistaken for part of the attorney fee.
If the bill still looks wrong, points worth raising include:
- Whether the percentage matches the signed agreement.
- Whether deducted costs are documented and reasonable.
- Whether medical liens or subrogation claims were resolved before the split.
Independent review and formal options ¶
The State Bar of Georgia offers a voluntary fee arbitration program that gives clients and lawyers a neutral forum to resolve fee disagreements without litigation. This is often a practical option when a direct conversation does not settle the matter. If a client believes the lawyer acted improperly rather than simply charging a disputed amount, a separate grievance process exists through the State Bar for ethics complaints, which is different from arguing over the number itself.
Where a dispute cannot be resolved through review, a fee can ultimately be contested in court, and Georgia’s professional rules require fees to be reasonable. Money that is genuinely in dispute generally should be held separately by the lawyer until the disagreement is resolved, rather than distributed as if undisputed.
The bottom line ¶
A Georgia client who disagrees with a fee can start by reviewing the contract and requesting a full accounting, then use the State Bar’s fee arbitration program for a neutral resolution, and turn to the courts or an ethics complaint if the problem goes beyond the amount. Sorting out which type of disagreement is at issue, the math versus the conduct, points to the right path.
This article is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship, and Georgia law may change. For advice about a specific situation, consult a licensed Georgia personal injury attorney.