Irvine, CA – JAMS, the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services in the United States today announced that
Judge Warren Knight (Ret.), the founder of JAMS, is the 2010 recipient of the prestigious D’Alemberte-Raven Award from the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Dispute Resolution. Judge Knight will receive the award at a dinner on April 9 in San Francisco as part of the Section’s Annual Meeting.
Among his many accomplishments, Judge Knight is most known as the founder of JAMS. He was instrumental in growing the ADR provider from a one person mediation shop to a highly respected provider of dispute resolution services with over twenty Resolution Centers in the United States.
“Judge Knight significantly contributed to the current legal landscape. His work has resulted in the acceptance of ADR as an efficient and cost-effective alternative to litigation,” said Chris Poole, President and CEO of JAMS. “The legal system, the business community, and individuals with disputes have benefitted from his remarkable and trailblazing vision. We are eternally thankful to Judge Knight for his hard work, dedication and passion for ADR.”
Judge Knight stated: “When I started JAMS over 30 years ago, I would have never guessed that it would be the extraordinary organization that it is today. Over the years, I’ve seen it flourish right along with the growth of mediation and arbitration. I am so proud of the good work of JAMS, the JAMS Foundation and JAMS Society. I am fortunate to have shared a wonderful journey with many close JAMS colleagues, friends and associates. Every one of them has played an integral part in making JAMS successful, and for that I am the one who is grateful.”
Judge Knight is truly a pioneer in the ADR and legal communities. He was instrumental in introducing and furthering ADR throughout the United States. Judge Knight served as Chairman of the Board of JAMS from 1979-1999. Prior to his retirement, he resolved thousands of disputes, and demonstrated his expertise across a wide variety of industries and practices by employing his encyclopedic knowledge of ADR.
Judge Knight is also one of the founders of JAMS Society and the non-profit JAMS Foundation, the largest provider of ADR-related grants in the world. Established in 2002 and funded entirely by JAMS neutrals and associates, the JAMS Foundation has provided more than $2.6 million in grant funding for conflict resolution initiatives. In 2009, the JAMS Foundation established the Warren Knight Award in his honor. Last year’s Warren Knight Award, along with a $25,000 grant, was presented to the Bronx-based organization Effective Alternative in Reconciliation Services (EARS). EARS provides fundamental violence prevention and intervention services and resources for schools, foster care and youth and community organizations in New York City and nationally.
JAMS Society, also created in 2002, recognizes and supports volunteer opportunities and community involvement for JAMS associates at a local, "hands-on" level. All associates are encouraged to become members of their local society to collaborate on outreach programs, or to work individually on a project of their choice. JAMS Society members participate in a diverse array of volunteer activities around the country ranging from cleaning up the environment to improving the lives of children and seniors.
Judge Knight's distinguished judicial career includes service on the Orange County Superior and Municipal Courts in California. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was in private practice with Portigal & Knight in Orange County. He is a past recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Civil Trial Mediators and twice was named Trial Judge of the Year by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. Judge Knight currently resides in Southern California.
About JAMS, The Resolution ExpertsFounded in 1979, JAMS, The Resolution Experts, is the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services in the United States. With Resolution Centers nationwide, JAMS and its 250 full-time, exclusive neutrals are responsible for resolving thousands of the nation’s more important cases. JAMS may be reached at 800-352-5267 or www.jamsadr.com.
About The D’Alemberte-Raven AwardThe ABA’s D’Alemberte-Raven Award recognizes leaders in the dispute resolution community who have contributed significantly to the field by developing new or innovative programs, improvements in service and efficiency, research and writings in the area of dispute resolution or continuing education programs.
The award is named for Robert D. Raven of San Francisco and Talbot D'Alemberte of Tallahassee, Florida, former ABA presidents and pioneers within the ABA in the area of dispute resolution.