LEVEL ONE MEDIATION 817-656-8100

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Effective January 1, 2021, Texas Rules of Court, Rule 169 expands and modifies Expedited Actions.  An Expedited Action is a suit seeking only monetary relief aggregating $250,000 or less, excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and costs.  A Court must remove a case from the expedited actions process upon showing of good cause by any party or if any claimant (other than a counter-claimant) files a pleading seeking any relief other than the monetary amount allowed.

Unless the parties agree not to participate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, the Court may refer the case once to an alternative dispute resolution procedure (i.e., mediation) and the procedure must:

1. Not exceed a half-day in duration;

2. Not exceed a total cost of twice the amount of applicable civil filing fees; and

3. Be completed no later than 60 days before the initial trial setting.

Note: The parties may agree to engage in alternative dispute resolution other than set forth in the Rule.

Under this new Rule, parties may be faced with mediating cases valued up to a quarter-million dollars, or more under these new parameters.  Finding a seasoned mediator willing to conduct a half-day mediation for a total fee of $500.00 to $600.00  may become a daunting task!  Michael S. Newman and Level One Mediation Service are here to help!

Michael S. Newman has established Level One Mediation Service  to fill this need.  Michael S. Newman has practiced law in Tarrant County, Texas since 1984 in almost all facets of the law.  He is a certified mediator through the Tarrant County Dispute Resolution Service and has served as a mediator for the United States Postal Service REDRESS program since 1999,  He has been involved in all aspects  of mediation, as the mediator, as a lawyer, and even as a party.  He has also served as a Municipal Judge well over twenty years.

Contact Michael S. Newman to discuss your Level One/Expedited Case Mediation needs.  He is willing to accept a half-day mediation at the new reduced rates established.  

                     MEDIATION BY ZOOM, TELEPHONE OR IN-PERSON                              

                             For Information, Call  817-656-8100