Fees and Policies for Mediation

The destination is at the end of a covered bridge.

2025 – FEE SCHEDULE and POLICIES

HOURLY RATE: For in person or virtual, the hourly fee is $625 per hour. Fees are charged for time spent in preparation for the mediation; reviewing documents, briefs and statements; pre-mediation conferring with the parties; site inspection (if appropriate); the mediation session, telephone calls, and travel time if beyond Walnut Creek. This fee will be divided equally among the parties participating in the mediation. For those mediations conducted outside of Northern California, time and travel expenses are negotiable. Fees are based on time expended by Mediator. There is a four-hour minimum charge for the mediation session, itself.

Any additional fees incurred are due and payable upon receipt of the invoice. If the invoice is not paid within 30 days of the date of the invoice, a 1% per month compounding late fee will be applied.

Cancellation or postponement fees will be deducted from prepayments or invoiced separately, with payment due within 7 days.

All Parties and their attorneys are jointly and severally liable for the mediation fees.

DEPOSIT POLICY

The date and time of the mediation session will not be confirmed until a refundable deposit of $1,250.00 from each party has been received twenty days before the mediation session. Any unused deposit will be returned to the parties after the mediation. This deposit demonstrates the parties’ commitment to reach a solution. The deposit should be sent to my office and be available to be immediately deposited in my Attorney Trust Account.

CANCELLATION POLICY

More than 14 Days’ Notice: No charge.

7–14 Days’ Notice: 50% of the reserved 8-hour session fee will be charged.

Less than 7 Days’ Notice: Full 8-hour session fee applies.

POSTPONEMENT POLICY

14+ Days’ Notice: No rescheduling fee.

7–14 Days’ Notice: $500 rescheduling fee applies.

Less than 7 Days’ Notice: Treated as a cancellation; full 8-hour session fee applies unless rescheduled within 30 days.

EMERGENCY EXCEPTIONS TO CANCELLATION AND POSTPONEMENT POLICIES

Genuine emergencies or unforeseen circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By reserving a mediation session, all parties acknowledge and accept the terms of this policy.

COURT PANELS

Mr. Strongman honors the reduced fee and free time requirements of court sponsored ADR programs of which he is a member.

Only if the mediation is ordered by the presiding bench officer of a panel on which Mr. Strongman is a member, and the part(ies) qualify for reduced fees under the local rules, then the local rules for reduced fee mediation will apply. There is a four-hour minimum for these reduced fee mediations. The deposit requirements remain the same. Being located in the jurisdiction is not an automatic qualification for reduced fees.

Until confirmation is received from the Court that the case qualifies for reduced fees, Mr. Strongman’s Daily Rate will apply. Once the reduced fee arrangement requirement is met per the local rules and confirmed by the Court, participants agree to pay Mr. Strongman’s fee for additional services rendered in the amount of $625.00 per hour.

Ken Strongman, a private commercial mediator/arbitrator of complex, high risk litigated cases since 2004. Disputes addressed include business, securities, construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, employment, environment, energy, and trusts & estates.