New appointments to the Fee Dispute Resolution Committee
The Missouri Bar’s Board of Governors met in early March to discuss regular business, including appointments to various committees. During that meeting, Michael Hill of St. Peters and Judge Jon Gray were appointed to the Fee Dispute Resolution Committee, which oversees The Missouri Bar Fee Dispute Resolution Program.
This program is available on a voluntary basis to help resolve fee disputes between Missouri lawyers and their clients through facilitation, mediation and binding arbitration. The committee is comprised of four lawyers and three non-lawyers who serve four-year terms, with a maximum of two terms of service.
Michael Hill
Michael Hill has a long experience in arbitration and mediation and has been appointed to one of the non-lawyer committee seats.
“I have worked on attorney fee disputes, both mediations and arbitrations, for many years,” Hill explained. “I like helping people and my long career in resolving problems should be of value in serving on the committee.”
Hill graduated from the University of North Texas in 1960 with a BBA in office management and later earned 136 hours in courses in arbitration and mediation. Since 1994, Hill has been an arbitrator/mediator for organizations ranging from the US Postal Service to the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board, and even The Missouri Bar.
“I believe the committee and the program of fee dispute resolution is important because it provides opportunities for communications between parties and clears up misunderstandings between attorneys and their clients.”
Hon. Jon Gray
Hon. Jon Gray, a retired judge, has also been appointed to the committee as a result of his extensive experience in the profession.
“The Fee Dispute Resolution Committee offers the bar an opportunity to serve the public and the profession and I bring a set of skills dedicated to helping parties find resolution of their disputes,” Gray said.
A graduate of Grinnell College, he obtained his JD from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law in 1976. He served on the Young Lawyers’ Section Council and the first MCLE Task Force. He also brings to the table more than 20 years of experience as a judge with the Jackson County Circuit Court. Gray is currently a partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP in Kansas City.
“Our profession must be vigilant to protect the public and the integrity of the profession. Agreements between attorneys and their clients represent relationships of trust. The Fee Dispute Resolution Committee is the forum available to parties when disputes arise that provides an immediate and cost-effective means of resolving fee disputes.”
Click here to learn more about The Missouri Bar Fee Dispute Resolution Program.