Dispute Resolution Services

Successful dispute resolution, regardless of its form, requires an arbitrator/mediator with extensive experience, both in and out of the courtroom. My seventeen years as a civil trial judge in Harris County, coupled with my fourteen years as a litigator, and my two years in corporate America equips me to resolve disputes fairly and with a minimum of wasted time.

My office will handle all scheduling and billing matters to set up the mediation/arbitration. My fees vary, but are dependent on the amount in dispute and the complexity of the case. I am happy to discuss the fees prior to any commitment.

Once the preliminary matters are handled, I will ask for information regarding the case so that I can prepare in advance. My office will ask for a deposit to reserve the date. If the mediation/arbitration is cancelled for any reason within twenty four hours of the agreed upon date, then I will retain one half of the fees charged.

At the conclusion of the mediation/arbitration, my office will have prepared the necessary forms to memorialize the agreements of the parties and we will provide whatever documentation is appropriate to alert the court to the outcome.

I perform dispute resolution services state and nationwide, and look forward to discussing the fees and expenses for these out of town services with you.

Scheduling Mediation

• Mediation is charged on a day or "half day" basis. Full day mediation may take up to eight hours without additional hourly charges. "Half day" mediations last four hours. If the "half day" mediation exceeds four hours, hourly rate of $250 per hour will be charged and collected at the conclusion of the mediation, equally divided between the parties.
• To assess the division of mediation cost, I will determine how many negotiating units are involved in the case. Each party is responsible for their portion of the mediation fee. An example of one negotiating unit is a husband and a wife who are making or defending a common claim. Another example is a business organization with several business associates, all with the same interest in a piece of litigation and a common attorney. My determination as to the number of negotiating units is final.
• Payment for mediation services must arrive by both parties in our offices no later than five days before the scheduled mediation. If mediation is scheduled and cancelled within twenty four hours of the agreed upon date, the cancellation fee shall be half of the mediation fee.
• Please send all materials to scheduling@judgeelizabethray.com. Make all checks payable to Former Judge Elizabeth Ray and mail to Upper Kirby Mediation Center, 2310 Richton, Houston, Texas 77098, 713-807-1700.