RATES
$210 per hour per party ($420 per hour total) for two-party mediations
$180 per hour per party for three-party mediations
$145 per hour per party for mediations with four or more parties
The mediator is entitled to compensation for all time spent on the matter, including, but not limited to, preparation time, telephone conferences, attendance at the mediation conference, reporting, collection efforts (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees and costs), etc.
TRAVEL
There is NO charge for travel time within the following Florida counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Other travel is charged at one-half the regular hourly rate unless other terms have been agreed upon in advance.
Venue for any action relating directly or indirectly to any services provided by Oehler Mediation shall exclusively be the state and federal courts in Hillsborough County, Florida. The parties to any claim must engage in pre-suit mediation in this venue, within 60 days of notice of the claim, with each party sharing mediation costs equally. The pre-suit mediation provision does not apply to claims based on the alleged non-payment of a debt.
If airline travel or an overnight stay is necessary to attend a mediation, then airfare, rental car, lodging and food will be billed at their actual cost.
MINIMUM FEE
For half-day mediations, a minimum fee of 3 hours will be charged consisting of 2 hours for the conference and 1 hour for preparation and reporting. For full-day mediations, a minimum fee of 6 hours will be charged consisting of 4 hours for the conference and 2 hours for preparation and reporting.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Your mediation is important to us and once your mediation is scheduled, Oehler Mediation will decline other engagements during your scheduled mediation. Accordingly, the following policies apply to all matters:
In the event of cancellation or rescheduling, Oehler Mediation must receive email notice at least 5 business days before the scheduled mediation date, with the agreement of all parties noted. In that event no cancellation fee will be charged. Without timely notice, there will be a three (3) hour minimum charge to be divided and paid equally by each side’s counsel for a half-day mediation and a six (6) hour minimum charge to be divided and paid equally by each side for a full-day mediation. Unless the parties agree, in writing, on who should pay the cancellation fee, the attorney for each side is responsible for their side’s equal share. In the event of a dispute as to who is responsible for the cancellation fee, each attorney shall be responsible for making timely payment of their side’s equal portion of the fee and, after making payment, shall have the right to file an appropriate motion with the court or arbitration tribunal to seek reimbursement from other parties.
Cancellation fees apply regardless of whether the mediation is cancelled or rescheduled. Cancellation fees will NOT apply if we are able to schedule another mediation in the time period reserved for your mediation.
PAYMENT
A detailed bill will be emailed or otherwise delivered to each attorney at the conclusion of the mediation session. Counsel are urged to bring a check to mediation so that the invoice may be paid at the conclusion of the session. If payment is not made at mediation, then each attorney will be responsible for payment within 15 calendar days of receipt of billing, including any cancellation fees. The attorneys representing parties in the matter, and their law firm if the attorney practices in a firm, will be billed and are responsible for timely payment of the mediation bill, not their clients. If Oehler Mediation determines, in its sole discretion, that that an advance deposit is necessary, an advance deposit may be required from a party or its counsel. Failure to pay any required advance deposit by the deadline will result in cancellation of the Mediation Conference.
Additional billing policies may be set forth in the Mediation Confirmation and Fee Agreement delivered to the parties upon scheduling a mediation.