Texas Civil Mediation • Zoom, Statewide
Mediation by someone who has argued both sides.
Amber Russell has defended companies and carriers and tried cases for injured plaintiffs. That is why adjusters, defense counsel, and plaintiff firms all get a straight read on risk in her caucus. Half-day and full-day Zoom sessions statewide, flat published fees, a response to scheduling requests within one business day.
UT Law, Order of the Coif · Recognized by Super Lawyers · Both plaintiff & defense experience
Scheduling Snapshot
Half-day
4-hour Zoom block
Full-day
8-hour Zoom block
Statewide
Texas, virtual
7-day
Cancellation policy
$875
Half-day · per party
$1,750
Full-day · per party
1 business day
Response time
100%
Virtual via Zoom
Services
Built for Texas civil litigation.
A straightforward virtual format designed to drive decision-making and resolution.
PI
Personal injury disputes
Liability, damages, and risk evaluation — especially where trial posture matters.
CTR
Contract disputes
Practical issue-framing and settlement structures aligned with business reality.
MP
Complex & multi-party
Clean caucus flow and momentum across multiple decision-makers.
Process
A prepared day that moves.
Clear expectations. Strong preparation. A Zoom session designed to close.
- 1
Pre-session setup
Confirm decision-makers, exchange logistics, and review confidential statements and exhibits in advance.
- 2
Opening & structure
Set ground rules and a plan for movement — brackets, demands, and timing.
- 3
Negotiation & reality testing
Direct, respectful risk discussion tailored to what helps each side decide.
- 4
Closing & documentation
If we settle, we document cleanly. If not, we leave with concrete next steps.
Fees
Transparent, flat-rate pricing.
Virtual (Zoom) fee schedule.
| Session | Format | Fee (per party) | Overtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day (4 hrs) | Virtual (Zoom) | $875 | $425 / party / hour |
| Full-day (8 hrs) | Virtual (Zoom) | $1,750 | $425 / party / hour |
| Second session / follow-up | Virtual (Zoom) | By agreement | — |
7-day cancellation policy: cancellations or reschedules within 7 calendar days of the scheduled start time incur a 50% cancellation fee per party, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Party definition: a “party” generally means all individuals or entities represented by the same law firm.
About
Trial-tested. Both sides of the aisle.
Amber Russell
Amber began her career at Baker Botts defending energy and manufacturing companies in civil and administrative litigation, then spent years representing plaintiffs in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. She has built the damages models defense counsel attack and cross-examined the experts plaintiffs rely on. Mediation is where that experience is most useful to everyone in the room.
B.A. and J.D. from The University of Texas (Order of the Coif). Recognized by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, Austin Monthly, and the Austin Business Journal. Facilitative by default; evaluative when counsel asks.
“Seeing a case from both the defense and plaintiff side lets me reality-test risk credibly with every room.”
— Amber Russell
- Statements and exhibits read in full before the day
- Conflicts disclosed before a date is confirmed
- A plan for movement set at the opening
- Terms documented before anyone leaves Zoom
Outside the mediation room, Amber supports SOAR, a scholarship and mentoring program for first-generation students. Community →
FAQ
Common questions.
How do we reserve a date?
Email contact@amberrusselladr.com with preferred dates, case style, parties and counsel, and the number of separately represented parties. Dates are confirmed once the agreement and fees are received from all parties.
Do you require confidential mediation statements?
Confidential statements are strongly preferred. Timing, format, and secure delivery instructions are provided upon scheduling.
Is this virtual only?
The default is virtual (Zoom) statewide. In-person options are available on a case-by-case basis.
What types of cases are a good fit?
Civil litigation matters — especially personal injury and contract disputes — including complex and multi-party cases.
Schedule
Ready to set a date?
Email us with the case style, preferred dates, and a one-paragraph issue summary. Response within one business day.
From date request to confirmed session
- Request options. Send preferred dates, session length, case style, parties, counsel, and the number of separately represented parties.
- Complete conflict review. Relevant relationships are reviewed and any necessary disclosures addressed before confirmation.
- Agree a tentative date. An availability response or tentative hold is not a confirmed booking.
- Complete the agreement and payment. The mediation agreement and required fees must be received from all parties.
- Receive written confirmation. Follow the scheduling instructions for Zoom access, statements, and preparation.
A neutral role, clearly defined
Amber serves as the mediator, not as an advocate for any party. Her plaintiff and defense experience informs discussion of risk without promising a particular settlement. Her relationship with LOAR PLLC is relevant to conflict review; send the parties and counsel for screening before sending substantive confidential materials.
Prepare for a productive session
- Confirm who will attend and who has settlement authority.
- Test Zoom, audio, and a private setting before the session.
- Prepare a concise chronology, key issues, negotiation history, and the decisions that require attention.
- Follow the confirmed submission deadline and request secure delivery instructions for sensitive statements or exhibits.
- Keep proposed settlement terms and the people needed to approve them available.
Initial scheduling emails should contain only the information needed to arrange and screen the session. Do not send sensitive records or exhibits until delivery instructions are agreed.
Request date options · Review fees and cancellation terms · Review the mediation process