William M. Ela, District Judge, Retired

General Information:		
		30507 L Road
		Hotchkiss, CO  81419
		Phone: 970-872-3334
		Fax: 970-872-3488
		Hours:  Weekdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 
		Evening Appointments:     yes 
		Weekend appointments: occasionally
		 
Fee Information:		
		Hourly Rate:   $100 per hour, split between parties.  Most travel time free.
		How payment is required:
		  Cash or check
		Payment is expected:
		  End of mediation or billed through attorney.  Payment plans may be
		     accepted; some pro bono if requested by Judge.
		Average number of hours or sessions usually needed:
		  3 hours 	
		Average Cost of the Memorandum of Understanding:	
		   same as hourly rate	
			 
			
Experience:			SINCE:  
	x	Custody and Divorce	1989
	x	Criminal	2002
	x	Business	1991
	x	Real Estate	1991
	x	Employment	1991
	x	Landlord/Tenant	1991
	x	Probate/Wills	1991
	x	Personal Injury	1991
	x	Investments/Securities	1991
	x	Settlement Conferences	1991
	x	Insurance	1991
	x	Construction	1991
	x	Local Government	1996

Professional Affiliations:		
		Colorado Council of Mediators (CCMO)	
		American Arbitration Association (AAA) until 2004	
		Dispute Resolution Systems	
		Former mediator w/Colorado State Court Administrator's Office (ADR)	
		Chairman, Mesa County Bar ADR Committee (3 years)	
		Western Colorado Council of Mediators (WCCM) until 2004	
		
Education & Training:		  	
		34 years District Judge (1965 to 1999)	
		4 advanced Commercial Panel trainings, AAA 1989 - 2004	
		CCMO Guidelines plus 3 attorney/mediator 1 day seminars (1999 - 2002)	
Activities:		
		Averaging 50 mediations and 3 arbitrations per year since 1999 plus 	
		neutral investigation of employment dispute of over 100 hours.

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