The New York State court system has established a Statewide Fee Dispute. Some attorneys and law practices are willing to file lawsuits to recover unpaid attorney fees and unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses.Attorney Sanford is available to handle your fee dispute, or serve as your expert consultant and expert witness in legal malpractice and fee cases. WHAT IS THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT FEE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM? Most personal injury lawyers on Long Island, including ours, handle lawsuits based on contingency. In New York, attorney's fees are not typically recoverable damages unless a specific contractual agreement or statute exists. The client can of course fire the attorney and file a complaint with the grievance committee. Clients are often dismayed to learn that attorney's fees are not generally recoverable in litigation under the "American Rule." Numerous risk management guidelines advise lawyers that the last thing they should ever do is sue for fees. That is good advice.