My attorney is suing me for no payment of legal fee's.

My attorney is suing me for no payment of legal fee's. I am in the process of applying for fee mediation through the Los Angeles Bar. My question is he has already filed a suit and a court date has been set. Do I need to respond to this complaint or can I submit my request for arbitration with the bar and file a notice of stay. He notified me of my right to arbitration on Monday and filed the complaint on Wednesday. Didn't even give me time to respond. Also, is there a fee to file a notice of stay? and do I need to serve him with the arbitration papers as well as the notice of stay or will the Bar Association handle the service of the arbitration papers.