Mediation Fees and Payment
One Hour, Multiple Cases. Occasionally, an attorney (or a carrier) has multiple cases needing only an hour each. These cases may be scheduled in batches of consecutive times as long as there are at least 2 or more per day (9-10am, 10-11am, etc.). These are highly effective in disposing of similar type cases where mainly the amount is at issue. We will coordinate the scheduling with you. The key to success is choosing the right cases falling into this category. Fees are negotiated from standard rates (below), with reduction based on volume, and may also be flat fee for a given period of time.
Two Hour. Two-hour mediation fees are $350 per party. These mediation are usually scheduled from 9:00–11:00a, 11:00a–1:00p, 1:30–3:30p, or 3:30–5:30p. Scheduling may permit start/finish flexibility. Additional time is invoiced at $350 per hour, per party.
Half Day. Half-day (~3.5-4 hours) mediation fees are $700.00 per party. Additional time is invoiced at $350 per hour, per party. Half-day mediations are normally from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., or 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Full Day. Full day (7-8 hours) mediation fees are $1400.00 per party. Mediations that go beyond 5:30 p.m. are invoiced an additional $350.00 per hour, per party. Fees include all preparation time, pre-mediation conferences, lunch for all participants, and expenses. Full day mediations ordinarily convene at 9:30 a.m., and we work through lunch in reasonable fashion. Advance arrangements for off-site locations are gladly accommodated. There may be an additional charge for travel time and all travel considerations.
Abbreviated, Good Faith Mediations. More often, some courts are absolutely requiring mediation, insisting regardless of attorney objection. While reasonable, good faith effort is still expected, we can work with you to schedule a shortened mediation, in person or even by telephone, to ask the right questions, and get down to business, for a substantially reduced fee (typically an hour or less is $150 per party). This will include either a settlement agreement, or in the instance of an impasse, a letter to the court noting the parties good faith effort to mediate reached an impasse. Fees are paid in advance upon scheduling, and letters are provided immediately upon conclusion of the mediation. The goal is NOT to circumvent the court, but to ensure that some effort was made to communicate specifically about settlement, even if the attorneys think it unlikely.
Cancellation Fees. There are no cancellation fees (some mediators charge a fee for cancellations less than 5-7 days before scheduled date), we only ask you be courteous of our time and ability to replace your mediation with another if you cancel too close to your mediation date. In this regard, we leave it to you to decide, if you are unable to cancel in a timely fashion, to determine how much to send as a “cancellation fee.” Our long-term relationship with you is important to us, and as with any good relationship, courtesy works both ways. Thank you.
Payment. Attorneys are responsible for ensuring payment is made prior to or at the start of the mediation. Payments may be made by cash, cashier’s check, corporate check (guaranteed by the attorney), or law firm check. Checks may be made out to: LawLORAS PC, 917 West 23rd Street, Houston, TX 77008. Tax ID 84-2064426.
Note: In complex cases, where a substantial amount of preparation time is essential, additional fees may be proposed based on the hourly rate of $300 per hour. Services beyond basic preparation, mediation session, and limited follow-up calls (to conclude a final pending offer or assistance with a large healthcare lien), require such additional fees. No additional mediation fees are required if a mediation session requires a recess, so as long as more than half the session time remains, and upon mutual agreement, a follow-up conference call or reconvening of the mediation may occur.
All parties represented by one lawyer (or firm) are one “party” for purposes of the mediation fee. Related parties, even with aligned interests, are considered as separate if they have their own lawyer. There are exceptions, so if your case is one of those, please let us know and we will work with you on fees.
Our fees are already reasonable relative to other mediators in Houston, but we will work with anyone on fees who has a compelling reason, in support of a reduced fee or pro bono work by attorneys and mediators.
Please let us know if you have any questions about fees or payment, and we will be happy to assist you.