Mediator Fees

* Fees as stated apply unless court order, agency order, or published panel/roster rates dictate different rate, in which case that rate governs.  Fees are split evenly between each “side” (i.e., one half to all the parties on the plaintiff/claimant side and one half to all the parties on the defense side), unless the parties agree otherwise.

• Half-day reserved: 
  
  • Videoconference Mediation: two-hour minimum ($1,000 minimum, $500 minimum per side); $500/hour thereafter (charged in increments of 1/10th of an hour, split evenly per side)
  • In-Person, Local Mediation (Greater Tampa Bay only)**: three-hour minimum ($1,500 minimum, $750 minimum per side); $500/hour thereafter (charged in increments of 1/10th of an hour, split evenly per side)
    **Note: For "In-Person" engagements, we do not currently have mediation space available at our North Tampa office.  Additionally, “Local” means within one hour drive time from our North Tampa Office.

• Full-day reserved:
  
  • Videoconference Mediation: four-hour minimum ($2,000 minimum, $1,000 minimum per side); $500/hour thereafter (charged in increments of 1/10th of an hour, split evenly per side)
  • In-Person Mediation**: six-hour minimum ($3,000 minimum, $1,500 minimum per side);  $500/hour thereafter (charged in increments of 1/10th of an hour, split evenly per side)
    • **Note: For "In-Person" engagements, we do not currently have mediation space available; mediator will travel to any agreed location
    • Travel Expenses charged: when in-person mediations require travel of more than one hour from our closest location (Tampa, FL; Baltimore, MD; or Providence, RI), the mediator shall split his actual travel expenses (e.g., hotel, airfare/train fare/mileage at IRS rate, meals, parking, etc.) evenly among the parties

• Premediation time: 15 minutes (per side) of standard pre-mediation communication is included in the fees above.  Review of materials or conversation in excess of 15 minutes will be billed to the side requesting at the rate of $500/hour (charged in increments of 1/10th of an hour) with those fees to be added to that side’s bill to be paid at the end of mediation

Notice of cancellation/postponement must be received at least 7 calendar days prior to the scheduled commencement of the mediation conference.  Otherwise, the parties will incur a late cancellation / postponement fee, equal to the applicable minimum engagement; if the parties do not otherwise agree as to how to apportion the late cancellation / postponement fee or if, for example, one party wishes to cancel but others are prepared to move forward with the mediation, the mediator reserves the right to apportion some or all of the late cancellation / postponement fee against the party(ies) who request the late cancellation / postponement.

• RESPONSIBILITY OF ATTORNEYS  Notwithstanding the fact that counsel is acting as agent for a disclosed principal, the attorney’s client, the mediator is setting aside time to mediate this dispute without requiring prepayment of fees in consideration of each party’s attorney’s agreement that the attorneys undertake responsibility for timely delivery of that party’s fees.

• PAYMENT TERMS Full payment is due at conclusion of mediation session, unless prior arrangements have been made.  We accept payments in cash, by check, or by major credit cards, PayPal, and Zelle (send to chris@shulmanadrlaw.com).  Alternative arrangements (such as ACH or EFT) only with prior approval.  All parties shall provide payment information prior to commencement of mediation.