SCOTT M. BONAVITA

A MEDIATOR WITH INTEGRITY DETERMINATION RESULTS

Florida Certified Circuit Court Mediator Since 2014

CHECK ONLINE CALENDAR

View open availability, book in real time,
receive quick confirmation

Download Resources

Find a Sample Engagement Letter,
Rate Card & Curriclum Vitae

Calendar

To reserve a mediation session, please select a suitable time slot from any of the available dates on the real-time calendar below. A quick interactive APPOINTMENT REQUEST will collect contact details and case information. Once submitted, we will be in touch promptly with confirmation and more details.

Notifications and reminders are also set up to ensure participants are well-prepared and informed.

NOTE: If you wish to change the details or date of an EXISTING mediation, contact Jenn Strok at casemanager@bonavitamediation.com directly for assistance.

Please do NOT submit a new request through the calendar below.

Fee Schedule

ARBITRATION FEES

Due to the unique nature of most arbitrations, please contact my office to discuss arbitration rates and policies.

MEDIATION FEES

Hourly Billing Rate

2 Party Mediations – $250.00 per hour, per party (time is computed to next half hour)
3 Party Mediations – $215.00 per hour, per party
4+ Party Mediations – $190.00 per hour, per party

To avoid confusion, a “party” is defined as all parties who are represented by the same counsel.

A minimum fee of three (3) hours for half-day sessions and six (6) hours for full-day sessions will be charged.

Compensation is required for all time dedicated to the dispute, including but not limited to preparation, telephone conferences, mediation attendance, follow-up conferences (in person or by phone), collection efforts (including attorneys’ fees and costs), preparation of agreements by the parties, and any mediator reports to courts or arbitration panels. Travel time outside of Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties is billed at half the regular hourly rate. Additionally, each party will be responsible for its proportional share of any reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses, such as conference space rental, travel expenses, clerical support, and communication costs.

CANCELLATION POLICY

We do not charge rescheduling fees for mediations that are canceled or rescheduled prior to seven (7) days before a scheduled mediation.

All cancellations must be communicated in writing (e-mail is sufficient) with the agreement of all parties noted.

Please note that for Bonavita Mediation to remain neutral, it is our policy to bill all parties equally for their portion of our minimum fees regardless of which party cancels a session or why it was canceled, even if it is being rescheduled, has settled, or one side is still willing to move forward.

PAYMENT

Law firms and lawyers, not their clients, will be invoiced and are responsible for the mediation bill. Payment is due within ten (10) days of the date of the bill and is not conditioned on receipt of the settlement funds. Past due bills will accrue interest at the highest legal rate and will result in additional charges for time and fees spent on collection.

When necessary, we reserve the right to require a deposit. Failure to pay a requested deposit by the deadline will result in cancellation of the mediation.

Pro se parties must pay no later than the conclusion of the mediation conference.

Resources

SAMPLE ENGAGEMENT LETTER

If you have any questions regarding this engagement or any of Bonavita Mediation’s services in general, please do not hesitate to email the case manager, Jenn Strok, or call the office at 813.513.1541.

RATES & CURRICULUM VITAE

VIRTUAL MEDIATION GUIDELINES

Bonavita Mediation conducts mediations either in-person or via video conference using the Zoom app. Please download these Zoom instructions for helpful information.

If new to Zoom, please be sure to download the app, create an account and login to become familiar with the platform. Zoom has many helpful resources if needed.

About

SCOTT M. BONAVITA, ESQ.

Scott M. Bonavita is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and a Certified Member of The Florida Academy of Professional Mediators.

He is admitted to practice in all state courts of Florida and Colorado, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

He is a graduate of St. Thomas University School of Law and holds a Master of Science Degree in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida.

Among his many past accomplishments, Mr. Bonavita played professional soccer for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, served as a former Assistant State Attorney, taught at St. Thomas University as an Adjunct Professor, finished an Ironman in Boulder, Colorado, helped clients as a former Certified Personal Trainer with the International Sports Sciences Association and certified CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, and oversaw the complete renovation of a small 4-unit motel on Treasure Island, Florida, now operated as Airbnb vacation rental property.

In his free time, Mr. Bonavita enjoys spending time with his family, boating, Crossfit, biking, hiking, whitewater rafting and traveling.

Scott M. Bonavita, Esq.

EDUCATION

  • Juris Doctor, St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, FL
  • Master of Science, Sports Administration, St. Thomas University, Miami, FL
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

  • Member, Colorado Bar, Colorado Law License, Bar Registration, September 2021
  • Member, Florida Bar, Florida Law License, April 2002
  • Member, Southern District of Florida,  October 2003
  • Member, Northern District of Florida, May 2004
  • Member, Middle District of Florida, September 2004
  • Member, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, May 2004
  • Mediator, Certified Circuit Court, 2014-Present
  • Member, American Bar Association, 2000-Present
  • Member, Hillsborough County Bar Association, 2005-Present

Practice Areas

Business and Contract Disputes
Construction Defects
Insurance Law
Personal Injury & Torts

Property Damage
Premises Liability
Products Liability

Other Case Experience Include

  • Admiralty
  • Bankruptcy and Creditors
  • Breach of Contract
  • Business Dissolution
  • Commercial and Business
  • Community Associations
  • Condominiums
  • Construction
  • Debt Collections
  • Employment
  • ERISA
  • Family Businesses
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Land Use and Planning
  • Landlord and Tenant
  • Libel and Slander
  • Local Gov and Municipalities
  • Mortgage Foreclosure
  • Non-Profit
  • Nursing Homes
  • Partnerships
  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Property Damage
  • Real Estate
  • Torts
  • Wage & Hour FMLA
  • Wrongful Death