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Seven JAMS Panelists Named “Lawyers of the Year” and 57 Recognized As “Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers®

Seven JAMS Panelists Named “Lawyers of the Year” and 57 Recognized As “Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers®

Awards Panelist News

Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers® has recognized seven of its neutrals as “Lawyers of the Year” and 57 of its neutrals as “Best Lawyers in America” for 2021.

The Best Lawyers in America© is a product of the collaborative efforts of Best Lawyers® and U.S. News & World Report to conduct exhaustive, peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.

The lawyers honored with “Lawyers of the Year” were selected because they received particularly high ratings from most of their peers. The selected lawyers have earned a high level of respect among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism and their integrity.

The following JAMS neutrals were honored as Best Lawyers® “Lawyers of the Year” for 2021:

Jeffrey G. Benz, Esq., was named “Lawyer of the Year” for arbitration in Los Angeles.

Hon. William L. Bettinelli (Ret.) was named “Lawyer of the Year” for arbitration in San Francisco.

Gary B. Blum, Esq., was named “Lawyer of the Year” for ethics and professional responsibility law in Denver*.

Clarence L. Pozza, Jr., Esq., was named “Lawyer of the Year” for litigation in Detroit.

Scott J. Silverman (Ret.) was named “Lawyer of the Year” for mediation in Miami.

Hon. Rebecca Westerfield (Ret.) was named “Lawyer of the Year” for mediation in San Francisco.

Michael D. Young, Esq., was named “Lawyer of the Year” for arbitration in New York City.

We are incredibly proud that the legal community continues to acknowledge and appreciate the work our panelists do. Congratulations to all our panelists. They are very deserving of this recognition.

- Chris Poole, JAMS President and CEO

The following JAMS neutrals were recognized as “Best Lawyers in America” for 2021:

Jeffrey G. Benz, Esq.

Hon. William L. Bettinelli (Ret.)

Hon. Stanley F. Birch, Jr. (Ret.)

Gary B. Blum, Esq.*

Philip L. Bruner, Esq.

Richard Chernick, Esq.

Steven C. Choquette, Esq.*

Zela G. Claiborne, Esq.

Terrence Lee Croft, Esq.

Robert B. Davidson, Esq., FCIArb

Charles H. Dick, Jr., Esq.

Bruce A. Edwards, Esq. 

Hon. Norman S. Fletcher (Ret.)

David Geronemus, Esq.

Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq.

Steven R. Gilford, Esq.

Patricia K. Gillette, Esq.

Joan C. Grafstein, Esq.

Hugh E. Hackney, Esq.

David G. Heiman, Esq.

John W. Hinchey, Esq.

Eleissa C. Lavelle, Esq.

Hon. Richard A. Levie (Ret.)

L. Joseph Loveland, Jr., Esq.

Hon. Harlan A. Martin (Former)

James E. McGuire, Esq.

Robert A. Meyer, Esq.

Lawrence R. Mills, Esq.

Cecilia H. Morgan, Esq.

William H. Needle, Esq.

Hon. Stephen E. Neel (Ret.)

Andrew D. Ness, Esq.

Hon. Edward A. Panelli (Ret.)**

Lawrence W. Pollack, Esq.

Clarence L. Pozza, Jr., Esq.

Ronald B. Ravikoff, Esq.

Hon. Ronald M. Sabraw (Ret.)

Deborah Crandall Saxe, Esq.

Scott J. Silverman (Ret.)

Linda R. Singer, Esq.

Stephen P. Sonnenberg, Esq.

Jerry Spolter, Esq.

Hon. Steven J. Stone (Ret.)

Hon. Dennis M. Sweeney (Ret.)

Hon. Dickran M. Tevrizian (Ret.)

Patricia H. Thompson, Esq.

R. Wayne Thorpe, Esq.

Hon. John K. Trotter, Jr. (Ret.)**

Eric E. Van Loon, Esq.

Hon. Curtis E. von Kann (Ret.)

Julia T. Waggener, Esq.*

Maria C. Walsh, Esq.

Hon. James Ware (Ret.)

Hon. Daniel H. Weinstein (Ret.)

Hon. Diane M. Welsh (Ret.)

Hon. Rebecca Westerfield (Ret.)

Michael D. Young, Esq.

 

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 TwitterLinkedIn and our JAMS ADR blog.

 

* This panelist is with the JAMS Denver office, which is a licensee office.

** This panelist has retired from the JAMS panel.

Featured People

Jeffrey G. Benz, Esq., FCIArb, FCollArb, CEDS
  • Business Commercial
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Health Care
  • Higher Education & Title IX
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Maritime Admiralty
  • Personal Injury
  • Real Property
  • Telecommunications
Hon. Stanley F. Birch, Jr. (Ret.)
  • Bankruptcy
  • Business Commercial
  • Employment Law
  • Global Engineering & Construction
  • Governmental & Public Agency
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury
Philip L. Bruner, Esq.
  • Construction
  • Energy & Utilities
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Governmental & Public Agency
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Surety
Richard Chernick, Esq.
  • Business Commercial
  • Construction
  • Construction Defect
  • Cybersecurity & Privacy
  • Employment Law
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Federal Law
  • Governmental & Public Agency
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Personal Injury
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Surety
Steven C. Choquette, Esq.
  • Business & Commercial
  • Construction
  • Construction Defect
  • Estates/Probate/Trusts
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury/Torts
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
Zela ''Zee'' G. Claiborne, Esq.
  • Business Commercial
  • Construction
  • Employment Law
  • Energy & Utilities
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Environmental Law
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Life Sciences
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Surety
Terrence Lee Croft, Esq.
  • Agribusiness
  • Antitrust
  • Appellate
  • Aviation
  • Banking
  • Business Commercial
  • Civil Rights
  • Construction
  • Employment Law
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Environmental
  • Estate Probate Trusts
  • Franchise
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Telecommunications
  • Training & Teaching
Robert B. Davidson, Esq., FCIArb
  • Accounting Finance
  • Aviation
  • Bankruptcy
  • Business Commercial
  • Construction
  • Employment Law
  • Energy & Utilities
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Financial Markets
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Life Sciences
  • Maritime Admiralty
  • Pharmaceuticals & Mass Torts
  • Product Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Surety
Charles H. Dick Jr., Esq.
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Business Commercial
  • Employment Law
  • Higher Education & Title IX
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
Hon. Norman S. Fletcher (Ret.)
  • Appellate
  • Banking
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction
  • Environmental
  • Estate Probate Trusts
  • Family Law
  • Governmental & Public Agency
  • Insurance
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
David Geronemus, Esq.
  • Accounting Finance
  • Bankruptcy
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction
  • Employment Law
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Financial Markets
  • Franchise Distribution Law
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Securities
  • Surety
  • Training & Teaching
Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq.
  • Business Commercial
  • Construction
  • Energy & Utilities
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Insurance
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Surety
  • Real Property
Joan C. Grafstein, Esq., FCIArb
  • Appellate
  • Business Commercial
  • Civil Rights
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction Defect
  • Education Law
  • Employment Law
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Training & Teaching
Hugh E. Hackney, Esq.
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Employment Law
  • Energy & Utilities
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Family Law
  • Insurance
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Pharmaceuticals & Mass Torts
Eleissa C. Lavelle, Esq.
  • Business Commercial
  • Construction
  • Construction Defect
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Estate Probate Trusts
  • Higher Education & Title IX
  • Insurance
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Surety
Hon. Richard A. Levie (Ret.)
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Appellate
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Environmental Law
  • Family Law
  • Federal Law
  • Health Care
  • Higher Education & Title IX
  • Insurance
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
L. Joseph Loveland, Jr., Esq.
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Banking
  • Business & Commercial
  • Governmental/Public Agency
  • Health Care
  • Intellectual Property
  • Securities
  • Special Master/Discovery Referee
Hon. Harlan A. Martin (Former)
  • Banking
  • Business Commercial
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Federal Law
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Surety
James E. McGuire, Esq.
  • Banking
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment Law
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Life Sciences
  • Professional Liability
  • Securities
Robert A. Meyer, Esq.
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Employment
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Federal Law
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Life Sciences
  • Professional Liability
  • Securities
Lawrence R. Mills, Esq.
  • Business Commercial
  • Construction
  • Employment Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Financial Markets
  • Governmental & Public Agency
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
Cecilia H. Morgan, Esq.
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Banking
  • Bankruptcy
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment Law
  • Energy & Utilities
  • Estate Probate Trusts
  • Financial Markets
  • Franchise Distribution Law
  • Governmental & Public Agency
  • Health Care
  • Higher Education & Title IX
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury
  • Pharmaceuticals & Mass Torts
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Surety
Hon. Stephen E. Neel (Ret.)
  • Administrative Law
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction
  • Employment Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Life Sciences
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Special Master Discovery Referee
Lawrence W. Pollack, Esq.
  • Mediation
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Business Commercial
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Maritime Admiralty
  • Professional Liability
Ronald Ravikoff, Esq.
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Business Commercial
  • Cybersecurity & Privacy
  • Federal Law
  • Financial Markets
  • Governmental & Public Agency
  • Health Care
  • Securities
Hon. Ronald M. Sabraw (Ret.)
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment Law
  • Financial Markets
  • Insurance
  • Personal Injury
  • Real Property
  • Securities
Scott J. Silverman
  • Business Commercial
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Family Law
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Maritime Admiralty
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
Linda R. Singer, Esq.
  • Business/Commercial
  • Civil Rights
  • Class Action/Mass Tort
  • Employment Law
  • Environmental
  • Federal Law
  • Higher Education & Title IX
  • Personal Injury/Torts
  • Training/Teaching
Jerry Spolter, Esq.
  • Agribusiness
  • Aviation
  • Business/Commercial
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment Law
  • Insurance
  • Maritime/Admiralty
  • Personal Injury/Torts
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
Hon. Steven J. Stone (Ret.)
  • Business/Commercial
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury/Torts
  • Pharmaceuticals/Mass Tort
  • Product Liability
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
Hon. Dickran M. Tevrizian (Ret.)
  • Aviation
  • Business/Commercial
  • Civil Rights
  • Class Action/Mass Tort
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Environmental
  • Federal Judge
  • Financial Markets
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury/Torts
  • Product Liability
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Surety
Patricia H. Thompson, Esq., FCIArb, CollArb
  • Appellate
  • Banking
  • Business Commercial
  • Construction
  • Employment Law
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Financial Markets
  • Insurance
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Surety
R. Wayne Thorpe, Esq.
  • Accounting/Finance
  • Banking
  • Bankruptcy
  • Business/Commercial
  • Civil Rights
  • Class Action/Mass Tort
  • Construction
  • Cybersecurity & Privacy
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Environmental
  • Financial Markets
  • Franchise
  • Governmental/Public Agency
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury/Torts
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
Eric E. Van Loon, Esq.
  • Accounting/Finance
  • Banking
  • Business/Commercial
  • Civil Rights
  • Class Action/Mass Tort
  • Construction
  • Employment Law
  • Energy/Utility
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Environmental
  • Federal Law
  • Franchise
  • Governmental/Public Agency
  • Health Care
  • American Indian Tribal Law
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Personal Injury/Torts
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Surety
Hon. Daniel Weinstein (Ret.)
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Environmental Law
  • Federal Law
  • Financial Markets
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Maritime Admiralty
  • Personal Injury
  • Pharmaceuticals & Mass Torts
  • Professional Liability
  • Securities
Hon. Diane M. Welsh (Ret.)
  • Antitrust & Competition
  • Aviation
  • Business Commercial
  • Civil Rights
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction Defect
  • Cybersecurity & Privacy
  • Education Law
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Environmental Law
  • Estate Probate Trusts
  • Federal Law
  • Health Care
  • Governmental & Public Agency
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Life Sciences
  • Maritime Admiralty
  • Personal Injury/Torts
  • Product Liability
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
  • Surety
Hon. Rebecca Westerfield (Ret.)
  • Accounting Finance
  • Banking
  • Business Commercial
  • Civil Rights
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Cybersecurity & Privacy
  • Employment Law
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Environmental Law
  • Estate Probate Trusts
  • Federal Law
  • Financial Markets
  • Franchise Distribution Law
  • Governmental & Public Agency
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Life Sciences
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Property
  • Securities
Michael D. Young, Esq.
  • Bankruptcy
  • Business Commercial
  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Construction
  • Employment Law
  • Engineering & Construction
  • Entertainment & Sports
  • Federal Law
  • Financial Markets
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • International & Cross-Border
  • Securities
  • Surety

Media Contact

For further information, please contact:

Kristine Snyder

JAMS Director, Public Relations & Content 

+1 949-224-4614 (Direct Dial)

Ksnyder@jamsadr.com

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