David Mason

Neutral Information
Rates and Fees

Overview

Hon. David C. Mason is a mediator and arbitrator who served as a circuit judge in Missouri’s 22nd Judicial Circuit from 1991 until his retirement in May 2025, making him the longest-serving judge in the St. Louis Circuit Court at the time of his departure. A Nashville native, David was appointed to the bench in August 1991 and retained by voters in six consecutive elections. Prior to his appointment, he served as an assistant attorney general for Missouri, general counsel for the Missouri Department of Corrections, and worked in private practice.

As an attorney, David litigated numerous wrongful termination and discrimination cases to final resolution. He was also counsel charged with writing an employee grievance policy and handling union negotiations for the Missouri Department of Corrections. David litigated in several state circuits, the Eastern and Western U.S. District Courts, all three Missouri Courts of Appeals, the Missouri Supreme Court, the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Throughout his distinguished judicial career, David was recognized for his legal acumen, dedication to fairness, and service to the community. He presided over numerous complex cases and was involved in efforts to promote public trust in the justice system. He also led civic initiatives that celebrated the history of the law in St. Louis, including the founding of the Freedom Suits Memorial, which honors early legal efforts for justice and equality. In 2024, he helped champion the renaming of the Civil Courts Building in recognition of Judge Clyde S. Cahill’s legacy.

David also built a parallel legacy in legal education. He served as an adjunct professor at Washington University School of Law beginning in 1989, teaching trial advocacy to generations of students and young attorneys. He also taught for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Yeshiva University’s Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, and numerous bar associations. Widely respected for both his intellect and heart, he received dozens of professional and civic honors, including the Missouri Bar Foundation’s Purcell Professionalism Award and the NAACP’s Medgar Evers Medal of Freedom.

Mason married Taunia L. Allen in 1995. They have two sons, William and Harrison. He retired from the bench in May 2025 and plans to continue serving the legal community through mediation and mentorship.

Education

Washington University School of Law, J.D., 1983
Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, Bachelor of Science, 1980

Professional or Trade Affiliations

Appointed circuit judge, August 17, 1991
Senior associate, Husch, Eppenberger et. Al 1990-1991
Associate, Peper, Martin, et. Al. November 1988-1990
Attorney general, State of Missouri, August 1983-February 1985
General counsel, Missouri Department of Corrections March 1985-November 1988.
Adjunct professor of law, Washington University School of Law 1989-present
American Law Institute, life member, Elected to Membership1996
Visiting faculty member-Intensive Trial Advocacy Program, Yeshiva University Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, New York, N.Y. 1995-2005.
Faculty for Trial Advocacy programs of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.
Frequent CLE lecturer in trial advocacy locally and nationally.
Editorial columnist, St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2003-2004

Community Involvement

Founder, Freedom Suits Memorial, St. Louis, 2022
Saint Louis Affordable Housing Commission 2012-2016
RISE (Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance) Board of Directors
Saint Patrick Center Board of Directors 2001-2010
Louis Public Library Board of Directors 1996-2001
Board of Directors, American Judicature Society, 1993-1998
Member, Saint Alphonsus Ligouri Catholic Church

Honors & Awards

2022 Royal Vagabonds Foundation Leadership Award
2022 BAMSL Legal Pioneers
2021 Missouri Bar Foundation Purcell Professionalism Award
2021 Missouri Lawyers Weekly Icon Award
2019 St. Louis NAACP Medgar Evers Medal of Freedom
2019 Lifetime Award for Excellence in Teaching Advocacy from Stetson University,
Incarnate World Foundation 2018 Leadership Award
Recognized in a 2009 statewide survey by the Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly as “The Best Circuit Judge –Eastern District of Missouri”
Received 2008 2^nd place honors in Missouri Lawyers Weekly statewide survey of “Best Circuit Judge in State”
1999 Washington University Distinguished Young Alumnus
1997 Washington University Order if the Coif (honorary)
1992 Austin Peay State University Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Honorary Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates
1991 Thomas D. Cochran Community Service Award, Missouri Bar
BAMSL 1990 Young Lawyers Award of Merit
Honorary Member of the Order of The Coif, Washington University
2003 Habitat for Humanity “Homecoming Award” in recognition of over 15 years of civic work on behalf of affordable housing development in the Saint Louis region

Publications

Judge Clyde Cahill: Courage and Action Journal of Law and Policy at Washington University’s School of Law (2022 – Volume 67)
Curator, Journal of Law and Policy at Washington University’s School of Law (2022 – Volume 67)
Preface: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Volume 36, Numbers 1/2/3/4, 2003
Tribute To Judge Theodore McMillian: Forerunner and Hero, Washington University School of Law
Journal of Urban and Contemporary Law, Volume 52:41, 1997
Numerous articles on public policy and social issues as a columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2003 and 2004
Author of Brief on the Merits to the United States Supreme Court, Black v. Romano 471 U.S. 606, 1985

Rates and Fees

Rates - David Mason

If you have questions regarding our rates and fees, please contact support@milesadr.com

St. Louis Rates
2 Party Case: $200 per party; per hour
3 Party Case: $150 per party; per hour
4 Party Case: $125 per party; per hour
5+ Party Case: Flat Rate Available Upon Request
Arbitration Hourly Rate: $400

Travel time and expenses, including meals and lodging, billed separately and split equally among the parties at the Neutral's hourly rate.
Pre/Post Consultation & Document Review: Hourly Mediation/Arbitration Rate

MEDIATION CANCELLATION POLICY

Mediations cancelled within 10 days of the mediation will be charged a cancellation fee of $500. However, mediations cancelled, rescheduled or settled within 24 hours of the mediation will be charged 4 hrs. of the Neutral's hourly rate . Cancellation fees shall be sent to the cancelling party unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

ARBITRATION FEE PAYMENT POLICY

Arbitration Commencement and Administrative Fee is $1500.00 per party, per arbitrator. At the commencement of arbitration, each party will be invoiced $1500.00. This fee is refundable minus $500.00 per party until the initial case management order has been issued. All arbitration related invoices are due upon receipt.

ARBITRATION CANCELLATION POLICY

If a single-day Arbitration Hearing scheduled on the merits of the case cancels or reschedules within 15 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 4 hours of the Arbitrator’s hourly rate. However, if the single-day Arbitration Hearing cancels or reschedules within 2 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 8 hours of the Arbitrator’s hourly rate.

If a multi-day Arbitration Hearing scheduled on the merits of the case cancels or reschedules within 28 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 4 hours of the Arbitrator's hourly rate for each day reserved for the hearing. However, if the multi-day Arbitration Hearing cancels or reschedules within 7 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 8 hours of the Arbitrator's hourly rate for each day reserved for the hearing.

Issuance of the Final Arbitration Order/Award

Arbitration Awards/Orders will not be issued to either party until Miles has received full payment for all fees and expenses associated with the arbitration.