Soleimani

I. Background

In September 2010, Soleimani retained Kramer, a family law attorney, to represent her in her marital dissolution action. Soleimani initially retained Kramer solely to oppose a motion to enforce a settlement agreement entered into in the dissolution action, but she later broadened the scope of Kramer’s engagement to include other matters, including the preparation of a request for an order to show cause against her former husband. Six months later, in March 2011, Soleimani terminated Kramer’s engagement and substituted herself in as counsel of record. The retainer agreement between Soleimani and Kramer provided for mediation and arbitration of disputes, as follows:

1 Throughout this opinion, we refer to Brian J. Kramer and/or his professional corporation as Kramer.

2 “13. Resolving Disputes Between Client and Law Firm: “(a) Notice and Negotiation: If any dispute between Client and Attorney arises under this agreement, both Attorney and Client agree to meet and confer within 10 days of written notice by either Client or Attorney that the dispute exists. The purpose of this meeting and conference will be to negotiate a solution short of further dispute…