Irvine, Calif. - JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is proud to announce the launch of the nationwide JAMS Pro Bono Landlord and Tenant Mediation Program to help mitigate and resolve the swell of COVID-19-related landlord/tenant disputes. Through this initiative, JAMS panelists will donate their time and expertise to provide dispute resolution services to resolve claims and help bring about sustainable agreements that safeguard individuals and families from homelessness and protect landlords’ livelihoods.
Uniquely positioned with 26 locations across the country, JAMS will collaborate with local organizations and court programs to mitigate loss through crafting tailored solutions and providing dispute resolution services to communities in need. Taking advantage of their on-the-ground capabilities, each effort will be led by a local panelist with deep connections to the courts, government agencies, local attorneys, community dispute resolution centers and the parties in conflict.
We recognize the unprecedented obstacles created by the pandemic for both tenants and landlords and want to do our part to help those in need, as well as the court systems while they are facing these challenging increases in activity. We are proud to be driving this initiative and look forward to working with communities across the United States, calling on our talented pool of panelists to provide support to those whose livelihoods have been impacted by COVID-19.
- Chris Poole, JAMS President and CEO
The initiative will start with a pilot program in Philadelphia on September 14 in partnership with Good Shepherd, a local community mediation center that is a past JAMS Foundation grant recipient.
The Philadelphia team is led by JAMS panelist Hon. Annette Rizzo (Ret.) who has been instrumental in the design and implementation of the pilot eviction diversion program that is part of the city’s expansive and newly passed Emergency Housing Protection Act legislation. The pilot program builds upon her experience launching the successful Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program in 2008 – a pioneering achievement of ADR that brought together homeowners, lenders, attorneys and housing counselors in an effort to keep city residents in their homes. Judge Rizzo has successfully recruited 22 of her colleagues on the JAMS Philadelphia panel and beyond, including commitments from neutrals based in Boston, New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Miami. Once trained, these neutrals will be well-positioned to give back in their respective localities through this initiative, and Judge Rizzo will continue to spearhead outreach to engage and involve mediators across the ADR community.
Pilot programs will launch in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco in the coming weeks.
About JAMS – Local Solutions. Global Reach.
Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide. 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.
With a roster of over 400 neutrals and 28 locations, JAMS resolves thousands of the world’s important cases every year. JAMS also offers remote dispute resolution through videoconferencing and other platforms. JAMS neutrals are adept at managing the resolution process whether they are conducting in-person or virtual hearings.
More information is available at www.jamsadr.com, and you can connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and our JAMS ADR blog.