Frequently Asked Questions

You can check my availability and reserve a time on my website. Please keep in mind a mediation is not confirmed until a conflicts check is cleared, and I have confirmed the mediation via email.

Yes, I conduct both in person and remote mediations based on the parties’ preference. I also conduct hybrid mediations where some of the participants appear in person and some appear remotely. It is the parties for to decide whether the mediation is conducted in person, remotely or as a hybrid.

In advance of the mediation, I contact an attorney for each of the parties and/or have a joint call with all the attorneys. One of the reasons is to discuss whether the parties are in position to meaningfully mediate the case. I also request mediation statements at least one week before to allow me to prepare for the mediation.

I do not have the parties give opening statements. However, I do like to have the parties come together before the mediation begins in the event the parties have not met each other before the mediation.

Yes, I will travel out of town for mediations. I do not charge for travel time for mediations conducted within two hours travel time of Cincinnati. For mediations taking place greater than two hours from Cincinnati, I charge one-half of my hourly rate for travel plus expenses.

Generally, the mediation cost is split equally between each party/affiliated party. However, the parties are free to agree to any other arrangement.

Yes, under Ohio law, information disclosed to a mediator is confidential unless a party gives permission to the mediator to share information disclosed to the other party. There are limited exceptions to this, but the exceptions rarely present. In fact, I have never seen such a situation whether as representing a party to a mediation, as a party to the mediation or as a mediator. In addition, the confidentiality applies not just to me as the mediator but also to the parties. Thus, demands and offers and other proposed terms of a settlement cannot be disclosed to those outside the mediation without the consent of the parties. This confidentiality also precludes disclosure to a court about demands and offers.

My hourly rate is $350 per hour.  In addition, I charge a $250 “administration fee” for two party mediations and $350 for three or more party mediations.  This covers communications with the parties and/or their attorneys outside the mediation save the separate “premediation” telephone calls with counsel for the parties.  The administration fee also does not include time preparing for a mediation for things such as reviewing mediation statements and other materials provided by the parties.