Mediation Process and Costs
Diana Maier founded Maier Law Group to focus on employment law, investigations, and conflict resolution. A seasoned mediator, she handles litigation matters privately and for several California courts, bringing her expertise to disputes ranging from wage and hour class actions to partnerships and contract matters. Having practiced on both the plaintiff and defense sides, Diana understands both perspectives. Her background includes experience on Capitol Hill as a foreign policy legislative aide, a lobbyist on issues related to the Middle East conflict, a public defender in Santa Clara County, and currently as an elected official to Marin Water’s Board of Directors. A recognized Northern California Super Lawyer, Diana excels at helping parties find common ground.
Diana is available to conduct mediations in English or Spanish, and is comfortable hosting mediations in-person or over Zoom.
“From the first conversation with Diana, I knew we had made the right decision to engage her to mediate between two colleagues. Diana’s approach was informal but professional, which fit with our culture. She took the time to understand the organization and the players involved. I have already recommended Diana to a number of colleagues in HR who may need support in the future.”
Our MEDIATION process:
Intake process:
Schedule call with Diana to see if it’s a good fit for your case
Complete a short intake process
Sign the mediation agreement and pay the fee to hold a date
Short joint conference with both parties to determine: ideal venue for the mediation; where the parties are with respect to discovery; and exchange of offers.
In workplace mediations, Diana will meet with the parties in conflict separately, and ask them to fill out a short questionnaire. Diana will have a longer initial call with each side to get a sense of the issues behind the conflict, and how well-versed each person is in having skillful conversations.
One week prior to scheduled mediation:
Mediation briefs due
Signed confidentiality agreements due
Short call with each side ex parte to see how Diana can be most effective in working with your client
In workplace mediations, Diana will assess whether the parties are ready to meet yet and what forum is best for doing so.
Once mediation is complete:
Make sure an agreement between the parties is signed
In workplace mediations, schedule a follow up call to see how the parties are doing and if their agreement is working or needs to be modified
Submit feedback form
Rates:
Standard Hourly Rate: $625
Nonprofit Hourly Rate: $560
Full Day Flat Fee: $7500*
Half Day Flat Fee: $4000*
Attorney Travel Time: $250 per hour
*Includes all prep time and one to two hours of follow up if needed. For most cases, a flat rate is more cost-effective. A sliding scale option is also available: contact us to discuss.
* For workplace mediations, sometimes it is more effective to pay hourly, investing in a few hours of time to see where the parties are at, if mediation is the best tool for the conflict, or if something else is needed. Often Diana will spend some time “coaching” both parties before a joint session, working with each person to be ready to engage with the other party in a meaningful way.