Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS): An Overview

JAMS is the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services, handling more than 21,000 cases annually. Founded in 1979 by Hon. H. Warren Knight, a former California Superior Court judge, JAMS has grown to become the world's largest private ADR provider.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

With nearly 500 neutrals and 29 locations, JAMS delivers efficient, cost-effective and impartial solutions for business and legal disputes at any stage of conflict. Since its founding in 1979, its distinguished panel has included retired federal and state court judges, former litigators, transactional attorneys and other ADR professionals with deep industry and practice area experience.

History and Development

JAMS, founded in 1979, has traditionally been known as a leading provider of domestic dispute resolution services in the United States. Historically, “JAMS” was an acronym that stood for “Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services.” In 1994, JAMS joined with a company known as “Endispute,” one of the primary dispute resolution service providers on the East Coast of the United States.

JAMS is now the largest provider of mediation services in the world, and the second largest provider of arbitration services in the United States. JAMS consistently counts over 10,000 case filings each year. These are “real” numbers as a class action or a mass tort matter counts as a single case. Total revenue for 2005 approached US $90 million.

Services Offered by JAMS

JAMS offers customized, in-person, virtual and hybrid dispute resolution services through a combination of first class client service, the latest technology, top-notch facilities, and highly trained mediators and arbitrators. Traditional mediation and arbitration are not the only tools available through JAMS. In some situations other approaches are more appropriate, effective and/or economical.

These options, customized for specific organizations, industries and events, can prevent conflicts before they arise or provide more flexible, scalable and creative resolution paths when conflicts do emerge. In order to save clients time and money, JAMS has instituted procedural options that allow the crafting of a process that is commensurate with the dispute.

JAMS offers efficiency, speed, and results. Rigorous preparation. Creative solutions. Persistent follow-up. We work diligently every step of the way-from pre-mediation calls to post-mediation follow-up to help all parties arrive at the best possible outcome to their dispute. Unbiased, confidential case evaluation from the best legal minds in the business.

We provide attorneys with advisory opinions allowing you to fine-tune arguments, reassess settlement options, manage client expectations-and ultimately proceed with a winning strategy. JAMS Pathways helps organizations address and reduce conflict through customized, proactive solutions.

Key services include:

• Mediation
• Arbitration
• Neutral Evaluation

JAMS Professionals

JAMS panel includes more than 400 retired state and federal court judges, attorneys and other ADR professionals with proven track records and extensive practice area and industry expertise. Each facility is designed to accommodate both mediations and arbitrations. The remainder of JAMS’ neutrals are typically well-regarded retired partners from major law firms, professors of law, or senior lawyers from established mediation or arbitration providers who now work full-time as mediators and arbitrators.

Mediation Process

Notable Events and Collaborations

SCIA and JAMS released Sino-US Joint Panel of Arbitration on 23 October 2018.

JAMS Approach to Dispute Resolution

JAMS doesn’t just resolve disputes - we solve problems. JAMS offers efficiency, speed, and results. In order to save clients time and money, JAMS has instituted procedural options that allow the crafting of a process that is commensurate with the dispute. Need assistance? We'll put you on the right path Connect with our case management team to learn more about selecting a qualified mediator/arbitrator, submitting a case, or JAMS Rules & Procedures.

JAMS handles an average of 18,000 cases annually, ranging from two-party personal injury mediations to complex, multi-party, multimillion-dollar arbitrations in the United States and other jurisdictions worldwide.

Recent Insights from JAMS Neutrals

The recent Cook and Ramirez decisions in California demonstrate that an employer’s attempt to maximize the reach of an arbitration agreement can backfire when the drafting overreaches fundamental fairness. JAMS neutral Hon. David Brown (Ret.) offers tips on drafting arbitration agreements in light of this recent case law.

JAMS welcomes arbitrator, mediator and neutral evaluator Barbara Bennett, Esq. who brings a wealth of private practice, in-house and ADR experience resolving matters related to healthcare, data governance, technology and artificial intelligence, privacy, security, and regulated business operations. Please join us in welcoming Adam Myron, Esq. to our panel in Boca Raton and Miami! Mr.

Join JAMS neutral Rachel A. Gupta, Esq. “When both sides begin at the edges, mediation can devolve into a prolonged exchange of tiny, symmetrical concessions that do little to close the gap.” In this Daily Journal article, JAMS neutral Hon. Lee R.

“I saw individuals learn to pause before reacting. To question the stories their minds were telling them under stress. To recognize when conflict was prolonging attachment rather than resolving anything. To allow grief without letting it hijack every decision. What changed was not the difficulty of the situation, but the space people had to respond rather than react.” JAMS family law neutral Hon.

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