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What Does It Cost?
Our compensation system is admittedly unusual. In short, we each bill at a
certain hourly rate for our services but do not require payment at this level. We
request this compensation. Why do we request a fee and then allow clients to
select their own? Because we want our clients to offer payment to the extent
they are happy doing so. Our preference is that all aspects of our relationships
with clients are founded in appreciation and understanding.
More specifically, Larry requests $350 per hour from his clients. Marcy
requests $300 per hour from her clients.
What do clients end up contributing under this system? Around half of our
clients offer the exact rate that each of us requests. Others might contribute
90% or 75% of our respective requests, or even on occasion, nothing. At
times, clients provide in excess of our requests. In all, people offer at a level of
their own choosing ($350 per hour, $300 per hour, $225 per hour, $200 per
hour, etc). They do so because they believe our services -- in saving them
grief, time and money -- in deepening their understanding of their own and
another's needs -- significantly enhance the quality of their lives. They either
wish to contribute to one of us, their mediator, as we have contributed to them,
or wish to enable us to contribute to others in a similar fashion. Our hope is
that they do so voluntarily, even happily.
Given the impersonal and often-harsh nature of the legal system, some find
this economic arrangement refreshing. Others however are somewhat
suspicious. They believe that we will somehow pressure them into offering at
our requested billable rates. While many attorneys (and others) may operate
through coercive means, we each seek compensation motivated by
appreciation and value. We have found it simply unsatisfying to receive
compensation arrived at by shame or threat.
Many clients naturally wonder if each of us is independently wealthy or has
some other source of income. The answer is no. Each of us has the same
economic needs as is common. We each have a family, including children, and
Bay Area mortgages. This is the way each of us makes his/her living. We offer
our services with the goal of contributing significantly to the lives of our clients.
We ask for compensation at a level commensurate with the marketplace and
that which we would like to earn. We hope that clients will offer what we
request, but the extent of the payment is voluntary.
Please read the fine print on our fee structure for caveats and particulars.
certain hourly rate for our services but do not require payment at this level. We
request this compensation. Why do we request a fee and then allow clients to
select their own? Because we want our clients to offer payment to the extent
they are happy doing so. Our preference is that all aspects of our relationships
with clients are founded in appreciation and understanding.
More specifically, Larry requests $350 per hour from his clients. Marcy
requests $300 per hour from her clients.
What do clients end up contributing under this system? Around half of our
clients offer the exact rate that each of us requests. Others might contribute
90% or 75% of our respective requests, or even on occasion, nothing. At
times, clients provide in excess of our requests. In all, people offer at a level of
their own choosing ($350 per hour, $300 per hour, $225 per hour, $200 per
hour, etc). They do so because they believe our services -- in saving them
grief, time and money -- in deepening their understanding of their own and
another's needs -- significantly enhance the quality of their lives. They either
wish to contribute to one of us, their mediator, as we have contributed to them,
or wish to enable us to contribute to others in a similar fashion. Our hope is
that they do so voluntarily, even happily.
Given the impersonal and often-harsh nature of the legal system, some find
this economic arrangement refreshing. Others however are somewhat
suspicious. They believe that we will somehow pressure them into offering at
our requested billable rates. While many attorneys (and others) may operate
through coercive means, we each seek compensation motivated by
appreciation and value. We have found it simply unsatisfying to receive
compensation arrived at by shame or threat.
Many clients naturally wonder if each of us is independently wealthy or has
some other source of income. The answer is no. Each of us has the same
economic needs as is common. We each have a family, including children, and
Bay Area mortgages. This is the way each of us makes his/her living. We offer
our services with the goal of contributing significantly to the lives of our clients.
We ask for compensation at a level commensurate with the marketplace and
that which we would like to earn. We hope that clients will offer what we
request, but the extent of the payment is voluntary.
Please read the fine print on our fee structure for caveats and particulars.
| Offices in San Francisco, Oakland and Walnut Creek 415.356.9834 |
| Resolving Conflict through Understanding |
Litigation is normally 5x to
20x the cost of Mediation.
This is because in
Litigation, each client
retains his/her own
attorney, who, instead of
working toward
resolution, typically first
uses all legal means
available to intimidate the
opposing side.
20x the cost of Mediation.
This is because in
Litigation, each client
retains his/her own
attorney, who, instead of
working toward
resolution, typically first
uses all legal means
available to intimidate the
opposing side.
Costs Compared
is there any rational alternative?
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