ARBITRATOR SERVICES

Pursuant to Chapter 44, Florida Statutes, arbitration is a process whereby a neutral third person or panel, known as the arbitrator(s), considers the facts and arguments presented by the parties and renders a decision which may be binding or non-binding.  In addition to serving as a lawyer for parties in lawsuits and arbitration proceedings, Joel Ewusiak serves as an arbitrator for binding and non-binding arbitration proceedings in Florida.  (Per Florida law, arbitrators shall be members of The Florida Bar, and the chief arbitrator shall have been a member of The Florida Bar for at least five years.)  Joel has completed the required Florida Supreme Court approved training necessary to serve as a court-appointed arbitrator.

Joel is also able to serve as a trial resolution judge for parties who agree to voluntary trial resolution pursuant to Fla. Stat. Section 44.104.

RATES (UNLESS ESTABLISHED BY a COURT ORDER)

Binding arbitration.  Joel charges $250 per hour billed in .1 increments.  Joel's hourly rate is applicable to all services rendered during the binding arbitration process (e.g., pre-hearing conferences, review of materials submitted by parties or counsel, preparation of orders on motions, final hearings, and preparation of the final arbitration award).  Joel does not charge for travel to binding arbitration hearings held in the following Florida counties: Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas. Otherwise, Joel charges $100/hour for travel, plus airline costs, if necessary.

Non-binding arbitration.  Joel charges $250 per hour billed in .1 increments.  All services rendered during the non-binding arbitration process are subject to a minimum charge of $750 per day (for up to the first three hours) to a maximum charge of $1,500 per day (per Florida Statutes Section 44.103(3)).  For example, if all services rendered before, at, and after the non-binding arbitration hearing were to total five hours in time, the charge would be $1,250.  One day is 8.0 billed hours.

Trial resolution judge.  Joel charges $250 per hour billed in .1 increments.  Joel's hourly rate is applicable to all services rendered during the voluntary trial resolution process. 

For more information concerning Joel's arbitrator services, rates/fees, and availability, please contact Joel directly by phone (727.286.3559) or by email (joel@ewusiaklaw.com).  Additional information concerning Florida's binding and non-binding arbitration rules, and voluntary trial resolution, is available in the Blog section of this website.