Chicago – JAMS, the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide, is proud to announce one of its neutrals, Hon. Abner J. Mikva (Ret.), will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The awards will be presented at the White House on Nov. 24. There are six other recipients for 2014, which include author Isabel Allende; journalist Tom Brokaw; musician Stevie Wonder; and actress Meryl Streep.
“This is an incredible honor for Judge Mikva and one that is very well-deserved,” said Chris Poole, JAMS president and CEO.
“I’m just overwhelmed by the award,” Judge Mikva said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. “It’s the highest award that a civilian can imagine getting. I’m very awed by the company I’m in. I’m very awed by the former judges who have received it — people like John Paul Stevens and Patricia Wald, Judge (Henry) Friendly. These are great names in the law.”
Judge Mikva joined JAMS in 1995. He is a dedicated public servant who served with distinction in all three branches of government, including as a five-term Congressman from Illinois, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and White House Counsel for President Bill Clinton. He has also served as a law professor at Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois.
This year, Judge Mikva also received the Benton Medal for Distinguished Public Service from the University of Chicago, the highest award from the university. Judge Mikva also runs an organization called the Mikva Challenge, which engages mostly Latino and African-American youth to get involved in civic life and realize they can make a difference.
About JAMS
Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide. With Resolution Centers nationwide and abroad, JAMS and its nearly 300 exclusive neutrals are responsible for resolving thousands of the world’s important cases. JAMS may be reached at 800-352-5267.