But with telecommunications costs plunging, we would have preferred a plan that led to lower fees rather than higher ones.

As online resources grow, analysts say, they could reduce the demand for traditional services and force lawyers to lower fees.

Its members have promised to try to lower fees, although they said they could not do anything this year because the budget had been set.

The company is also lowering fees to encourage more use.

"Clients certainly are putting more pressure on recruiting firms to lower fees," he said.

It is moving to cut expenses, to lower fees, to offer and market new treatment programs and to improve service as never before.

It has also lowered fees on trading bonds and stock options.

"But the main interest is in finding ways to lower fees."

"It's unusual to ask people to vote for a price increase," he said, particularly at a time when many fund companies are lowering fees.

Some industry analysts say fund companies will keep facing pressure to lower fees.