Retired Washington State Commissioner Eric B. Watness Joins JAMS

Seattle – JAMS, the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide, today announced the addition of Commissioner Eric B. Watness to its panel. Commissioner Watness will be based in the JAMS Seattle Resolution Center. He will serve as an arbitrator, mediator and special master for disputes in a variety of areas including Business/Commercial, Construction Defect, Education/Schools, Estate/Probate/Trusts, Family Law, Government/Public Agency, Personal Injury/Torts and Tribal matters.

Commissioner Watness spent 16 years as a Court Commissioner with the King County Superior Court in their Ex Parte and Probate Department and Juvenile Court Department, handling and settling family law and probate matters. Prior to that, he was in private practice for 13 years focusing on family law, probate, adult guardianship and adoptions. He began his legal career as an Assistant Attorney General for the Washington State Attorney General.

“Commissioner Watness is known for his tenacity and seeing the case through to resolution,” said Chris Poole, JAMS president and CEO. “His deep knowledge of the law, combined with his practical and good common sense will make him an excellent addition to our Seattle panel.”

“My years on the bench gave me invaluable experience that I can use to grow my ADR practice at JAMS,” said Commissioner Watness. “I look forward to this next phase of my career with such a highly regarded organization.”

Commissioner Watness received a B.S. from Portland State University and earned his J.D. from Willamette University College of Law.

About JAMS, The Resolution Experts

Founded in 1979, JAMS, The Resolution Experts is the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide. With Resolution Centers nationwide and abroad, JAMS and its more than 270 exclusive neutrals are responsible for resolving thousands of the world’s important cases. JAMS may be reached at 800-352-5267.