Irvine – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is proud to announce its participation in the American Bar Association’s (ABA) ABA Mediation Week, October 13–19, 2019. ABA Mediation Week celebrates the strides made to institutionalize mediation as one of several appropriate dispute resolution processes. This year’s theme is “The Importance of Using Diverse Neutrals.”
We are proud of the progress we’ve made in recent years in increasing diversity amongst our panelists and are setting our sights on moving the needle even more in the future. We applaud the American Bar Association for dedicating this year’s Mediation Week to highlighting and promoting diversity in the ADR industry.
-Mark Smalls, JAMS Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and chair of the JAMS Diversity Committee
In addition to its participation in ABA Mediation Week, JAMS recently announced that Joanne Saint Louis will take on the role of diversity program manager, a newly created position focused on promoting diversity and inclusion. Based in the Atlanta Resolution Center, Ms. Saint Louis will work collaboratively across JAMS to further the organization’s diversity and inclusion goals, which include adding high-caliber, diverse neutrals to its panel and working with law firms, in-house counsel and affinity bar organizations to diversify the selection of mediators and arbitrators.
We believe that this appointment will both drive meaningful change and cement a clear path for continuing to promote diversity within JAMS. With Ms. Saint Louis helping to spearhead our diversity efforts, we hope to set an example that encourages others in the industry to continue to make diversity and inclusion a core priority.
-Kimberly Taylor, Chief Legal and Operating Officer at JAMS
As a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion efforts in the ADR industry, JAMS was one of the first major ADR providers to add an inclusion rider option for clause insertions and to sign the Equal Representation in Arbitration pledge, which seeks to increase, on an equal opportunity basis, the number of women arbitrators. For more information on JAMS and our commitment to diversity, please visit the diversity section of our website and read the latest blog post from Mr. Smalls, “Making the Case for Greater Diversity in ADR.”
About JAMS – Local Solutions. Global Reach.
Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide. With 28 locations, JAMS and its nearly 400 panelists are responsible for resolving thousands of the world’s important cases every year.
JAMS successfully resolves and manages business and legal disputes by providing efficient, cost-effective and impartial ways to overcome barriers at any stage of conflict. JAMS offers customized dispute resolution services locally and globally through a combination of industry-specific experience, first-class client service, top-notch facilities and highly trained panelists. More information is available at www.jamsadr.com, and you can connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.