During my two terms as a judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, I would often hear the plaintive cries of the lawyers, “Judge, it is not about the money.” I would invariably respond, “It is always about the money.”

There are many considerations law firms need to evaluate when faced with high stakes fee petition or law firm litigation. Law firm litigation almost always brings unwanted public attention to the issues involved. Law firm fee disputes are among the most hotly contested areas of litigation. The reasons are obvious. It is usually about money, with a nod toward reputation, the loss of which, costs money. The differences are primarily in the form the disputes take. However, each dispute comes with its own set of issues. Each dispute presents unique considerations for the attorneys involved and challenges for a mediator to successfully resolve the dispute.