Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce the hiring of Joanne Saint Louis as the organization’s diversity program manager. Ms. Saint Louis’ addition is a testament to JAMS’ commitment to increasing diversity among its panel of neutrals and to being a leader in diversity and inclusion efforts in the ADR industry as a whole. JAMS is the first major ADR provider to create a position that is fully dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion.
In her role, Ms. Saint Louis will work collaboratively across JAMS to further the organization’s diversity and inclusion goals, which include bringing on 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. She is based in the Atlanta Resolution Center.
JAMS has a strong story to tell in terms of diversity amongst our associates and management team, and we are proud of the strides we’ve made in recent years in increasing diversity amongst our panelists. However, like the rest of the ADR industry we still have room to grow. We feel that our panel and our organization should reflect the diverse society that we live in, in order to provide the best ADR services possible.
- Mark Smalls, JAMS Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and Chair of the JAMS Diversity Committee
We are very excited to welcome Joanne to JAMS, and we believe she has the experience and perspective we need to achieve our diversity and inclusion goals. I know our organization will support her fully as she helps us further our commitment to increasing diversity.
- Chris Poole, JAMS President and CEO
Prior to joining JAMS, Ms. Saint Louis worked at a large ADR provider, where she was a member of the diversity committee and was responsible for organizing a number of successful ADR-related diversity events. Earlier in her career, Ms. Saint Louis worked with Citizens Disability and The Advocator Group. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Suffolk University and her J.D. at Massachusetts School of Law.
I firmly believe that diversity significantly enhances the quality of the services that we can provide to individuals, attorneys and organizations of all sizes. I am honored to be stepping into this new role at JAMS and look forward to supporting and advancing the company’s diversity initiatives.
- Joanne Saint Louis, JAMS Diversity Program Manager
JAMS has long been a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion efforts in the ADR industry. In May 2018, it became the first major ADR provider to add a diversity and inclusion rider option for clause insertions, as a tool for businesses when selecting an arbitrator or arbitration panel. It was also one of the first major ADR providers to sign the Equal Representation in Arbitration pledge, which seeks to increase, on an equal opportunity basis, the number of women arbitrators.
More information on JAMS and its commitment to diversity and inclusion can be found at https://www.jamsadr.com/diversity.
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.
