Lauren D. Kerr
PANEL MEDIATOR
FEE SCHEDULE
Mediation Rates
Hourly Rates (Per Party)
Two Parties — $250 per party, per hour
Three Parties — $200 per party, per hour
Four Parties — $175 per party, per hour
Five to Nine Parties — $750 per hour, split equally among the parties
Ten or More Parties — $850 per hour, split equally among the parties, or $50 per party, per hour, whichever is greater
A “party” is defined as one or more persons or entities who share a common interest and are represented by a single attorney or firm.
MINIMUM SESSION TIME
There is a seven (7) hour minimum charge for all mediations.
Time is billed in quarter-hour increments.
Cancellation Policy
If a mediation is cancelled or rescheduled less than 21 calendar days prior to the scheduled session, each party will be billed for their portion of the minimum fee.
This policy reflects the time reserved exclusively for the matter and the difficulty of refilling dates on short notice.
Billing & Payment
Travel Time and Expenses
Travel time (portal to portal) is billed at $250 per hour and divided equally among the parties. When necessary to attend an out-of-town mediation, airfare, lodging, rental cars, parking, and meals are billed at actual cost.
Payment Responsibility
Law firms and attorneys (not their clients) are billed and are responsible for the mediation fee. Payment is due upon receipt of invoice and is not contingent upon settlement, receipt of settlement funds, or payment by a client.
Past Due Accounts
Past due balances will accrue interest at the highest legal rate and may result in additional charges for time and costs associated with collection.
Pro Se Parties
Pro se litigants must make advance payment arrangements based upon anticipated charges or arrange payment at the conclusion of the mediation.
LAUREN'S EXPERIENCE
Lauren Kerr is a Board Certified Construction Law attorney and (pending Certification) Circuit Civil Mediator whose practice has centered on complex construction and insurance-related disputes. She brings substantial experience representing national homebuilders, contractors, and business clients in residential construction defect litigation, risk transfer matters, and high-exposure civil cases.
Prior to joining Marshall Mediation Services, Lauren served as coverage and litigation counsel for numerous national builders, where she regularly analyzed downstream risk allocation, contractual indemnity obligations, and insurance coverage issues arising from construction defect claims. Her work required detailed evaluation of subcontractor scopes of work, policy interpretation, and strategic coordination among multiple parties — experience that now informs her approach as a neutral.
Lauren has also served as trial counsel in arbitration proceedings and complex evidentiary hearings, gaining firsthand insight into how construction disputes evolve from pleading to resolution. Her litigation background provides a practical understanding of exposure, evidentiary strengths and weaknesses, and the real-world pressures facing both plaintiffs and defense counsel.
As a mediator, Lauren approaches each case with preparation, analytical rigor, and a steady, professional presence. She understands the technical and contractual nuances common in construction disputes and works to facilitate productive discussions that move parties toward informed and durable settlement.
Lauren assists parties across Florida in resolving construction defect and insurance-related disputes through mediation.
ADMISSIONS
- Florida
- Ohio
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
- United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar
- Florida Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section — Construction Law Subcommittee Member
- Columbus Bar Association — Real Property Law Practice Group Chair
- Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers
• Committee Chairperson (2022–2023)
• Board of Directors (2018–2020)
• “Leader in the Law” Award Recipient (2019) - President, Don James Award Foundation
EDUCATION
- University of Florida Levin College of Law
Juris Doctor, 2015 - South Dakota State University
Bachelor of Arts, 2012 - NCAA Division I Equestrian — Four-Year Letterwinner
Most Outstanding Player, November 2012
PRACTICE AREAS
Lauren Kerr focuses her mediation practice on construction-centered disputes and complex civil matters. Her background representing national homebuilders and construction industry participants provides practical insight into the technical, contractual, and insurance components that often drive resolution.
Her representative areas of focus include:
• Residential Construction Defect Disputes
• Construction Contract & Performance Disputes
• Risk Transfer & Indemnity Allocation
• Insurance Coverage (Construction-Related)
• Multi-Party Construction Litigation
• Arbitration-Related Construction Matters
Lauren’s experience analyzing subcontractor scopes of work, indemnity provisions, and insurance obligations allows her to navigate layered liability structures and facilitate informed settlement discussions in technically detailed cases.