Attorneys. Fees. Right to Negotiate. Frivolous Lawsuits.

ATTORNEYS. FEES. RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE. FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Except as allowed by laws in effect on January 1, 1995, prohibits restrictions on the right to negotiate amount of attorneys\u27 fees, whether fixed, hourly or contingent. Prohibits attorney from charging or collecting excessive or unconscionable fees. Authorizes court to impose sanctions upon attorney who files a lawsuit or pleading which is totally and completely without merit or filed solely to harass opposing party. Prohibits sanctioned attorney from collecting fees for case. Requires State Bar to recommend appropriate discipline for attorneys with repeated sanctions. Summary of Legislative Analyst\u27s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact: Adoption of this measure would have an unknown, but probably not significant, net fiscal impact on state and local governments