Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that New York panelist Chris M. Kwok, Esq., has been named the 2020 Frontline Champion by the Greater New York Chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR-GNY).
Presented annually, the Frontline Champion Award recognizes an ADR practitioner for his or her meaningful impact on the field of mediation or for helping others through his or her commitment to the effective practice of mediation.
On its website, the ACR-GNY posted the following about Mr. Kwok: “Anyone who has had the pleasure of working with Chris can attest to his kindness, intellect, and generosity. As a full-time neutral with JAMS, Chris serves as an arbitrator and mediator on a wide variety of matters, specializing in complex employment disputes and issues involving cross-border and culturally diverse parties. His stellar 15-year career at the New York District Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) translates to an unparalleled depth of knowledge concerning employment-related matters, and he is widely respected for his knowledge and experience in helping find solutions to the most complex challenges.”
Mr. Kwok is known for his creativity and aptitude in developing unique solutions to complex labor and employment disputes. In addition to the 15 years he spent at the New York District Office of the U.S. EEOC, he served for four years as supervisory ADR coordinator, in which, in addition to his own mediation work, he oversaw employment law mediations across all EEOC offices within the district. Committed to promoting change within the legal industry, Mr. Kwok has studied and written on diversity and inclusion within mediation and has spoken in front of audiences across the country.
Chris has built a career that is rooted in advancing diversity and inclusion in mediation. The many hats he has worn in driving that initiative—lecturer, trainer, mediator and writer—have made him an invaluable asset to the legal community. Chris is highly deserving of this recognition as a Frontline Champion, and I congratulate him. JAMS is proud to have him serve on our New York panel.
- Chris Poole, JAMS President and CEO
Past honorees include Rebecca Price, director of ADR programs at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York; Johnston Barkat, assistant secretary-general of the United Nations; and fellow JAMS panelists Hon. Kathleen A. Roberts (Ret.) and Margaret Shaw.
Mr. Kwok will receive the award as part of the ACR-GNY’s Mediation Settlement Day webinar event, which will include a panel discussion exploring emerging opportunities to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the field of ADR. The event will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. EDT. Please register here to attend.
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 29 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, Facebook and our JAMS ADR blog.
About ACR-GNY
The Greater New York Chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution serves the entire Greater New York Region, including parts of northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut. Its membership includes professional and volunteer mediators, government employees, lawyers, arbitrators, environmental public policy specialists, community and consensus-building facilitators, ombuds specialists, educators, students and others involved in alternative dispute resolution.
The ACR-GNY provides information and educational programs to its members and the public to promote understanding and improved use of conflict resolution methods and services.
