Fees are not uniform.  They reflect the circumstances of the matter under consideration: complexity, time commitment, number of parties, potential for impact on other obligations, amount involved, and other relevant circumstances of the parties, counsel, and the matter.   For Mediations:  Fees are usually a set daily session rate, per party.  An approximate median guideline number is $2,000.  This daily session rate also compensates for conference rooms, food service at the mediation sessions, and, most importantly, for preparation time and follow-up, which, for my approach to mediation, are usually considerable time investments.   For Arbitrations:  Good working guideline median numbers are $500 per hour for study, travel, deliberation, and hearing time; arbitration hearing room costs if arranged by the firm; and travel expenses for hearings outside of Houston.  Retainers usually required.   Fixed Fee Arrangements:  Can often be attractive to the parties and workable.   Expenses:  When the matter calls for work outside Houston, travel and lodging expenses will be allocated pro-rata and charged to the parties. Cancellation Fees:  For mediations, there is no cancellation fee, but if unavoidable expenses have been incurred before and because of a last minute cancellation, the firm will expect reimbursement for the costs. For arbitrations, there is no cancellation fee except with regard to hearings and then only if the notice of cancellation comes less than ten business days before the hearing is to begin, in which event a cancellation fee of $8,000 is usually required to reimburse the firm in some measure for loss incurred because of time set aside far in advance to accommodate teh arbitration hearing and associated loss of other mediation or arbitration opportunities. Witness Preparation, Special Master, Expert Witness, Other Trial Consulting Work:  $500 hourly rate with a retainer usually required.