$475 per hour for two-party disputes subject to a 4-hour minimum (half-day reserved) or six-hour (full-day reserved).
$200 per hour per party for three-party disputes subject to a 4-hour minimum (half-day reserved) or six-hour (full-day reserved).
Please contact the office for fees for four or more party disputes.
One (1) hour per side of pre-mediation preparation is included in the mediation fee. Additional time pre-mediation and post-mediation session will be billed to the side requesting such services at the rate of $475/hour billed in increments of 1/10th of an hour and added to that party’s final invoice. Administration Fee per party $100.

Arbitration

Base rate: $2400 full-day hearing/Sole Arbitrator. Non-hearing charges apply at the rate of $425/hour. Please contact the office for detailed fee structure for Labor and Non-Labor Arbitrations.

Neutral Fact Finding

Base rate: $350/hour for investigation, interviews, document review, report preparation, deposition and Court-appearances. Please contact the office for detailed fee structure.

*Minimums, cancellation and postponement fees may apply.

Travel Charges

Generally, there is no charge for travel time for services performed in the following Florida counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota , Orange and Seminole (“Local Travel”). Time for travel to other locations will be billed at  the regular hourly rate unless other arrangements are made in advance. Travel expenses (such as milage, hotel, airfare, and similar expenses) for non-Local Travel are charged at actual cost.

Cancelation Policy

Donna V. Smith, PLLC accepts engagements to the exclusion of scheduling other work during the time period reserved.  Accordingly, the following policies apply to all matters: Notice of cancellation or postponement of a scheduled mediation/arbitration must be received at least 10 calendar days prior to the scheduled Mediation Conference/Hearing, with the agreement of all parties expressly noted. Without such notice, the parties will be billed a cancellation fee of $500. Mediations cancelled, rescheduled or settled within 24 hours of the mediation will be charged 4 hours @$475.
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Generally, we do not waive applicable cancellation/rescheduling fees unless we are able to book another case in the reserved time period, as these fees partially compensate us for loss of use of the time slot reserved as well as the administrative expenses incurred in connection with scheduling.  We do not determine who is responsible for a cancellation inside the 10-day grace period.  Only if all parties agree will we invoice the charges for all sides to the party responsible for the cancellation. Generally, if the matter is postponed and rescheduled a cancellation fee will not be applied.  

Payments & Advance Deposits

Payment for Mediation and Arbitration fees must be received within 10 days of counsel or a party’s receipt of billing for the Mediation/Arbitration/Investigation services. The attorneys representing parties in the matter, or their law firm if the attorney practices in a firm, are responsible to ensure that Donna V. Smith, PLLC is paid in a timely fashion.  If payment is not received, the attorney or law firm will be personally responsible for said fees, including any cancellation fees. We typically email invoices upon the conclusion of the Mediation Conference or upon conclusion of the Arbitration Hearing or issuance of award.

Please contact the office for detailed invoicing structure for investigations and services rendered post-report. However, in cases where Donna V. Smith, PLLC in its sole discretion, believes it to be 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/Arbitration Hearing.