Houston – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, today announced the opening of its Houston Resolution Center, expanding its presence in the Texas legal market. The Houston Resolution Center opens its doors with five neutrals: Hon. Michael Schneider, Sr. (Ret.) who joined JAMS in 2016; Hon. Michael Massengale (Former) and Hon. Nancy Johnson (Ret.), who joined JAMS in 2020; and Hon. Russell Lloyd (Ret.) and Hon. Steven Kirkland (Former), who are joining with the location’s opening.
Hon. Steven E. Kirkland (Former) joins after serving as a judge of the 334th Civil District Court and the 215th Civil District Court in Harris County, Texas. For over 15 years, Judge Kirkland presided over hundreds of cases, ranging from complicated commercial contract disputes to tax delinquencies to personal injuries in auto accidents. He also served as senior assistant city attorney for the City of Houston, where he counseled the city’s chief development officer and city attorney on economic development projects. He is active in promoting drug and alcohol addiction recovery programs, affordable housing, historic preservation and LGBT rights.
Hon. Russel Lloyd (Ret.) joins from the Texas First Court of Appeals, bringing more than 40 years of experience, including 16 years on the bench in both trial and appellate courts. Judge Lloyd has served as a prosecutor, civil defense lawyer, plaintiff’s attorney, civil district judge, appellate justice and certified mediator. During his 10-year tenure as a judge of the 334th Civil District Court in Harris County, he was nationally recognized for his work as chief judge. He also had a 20-year military career, during which time he served in Vietnam and as a military judge.
We are excited for our expansion in the Texas market and to welcome Judge Lloyd and Judge Kirkland to JAMS. This new location and the judges’ decades of experience in the Texas legal market will be tremendous assets to local attorneys and their clients in resolving disputes. Additionally, with our shift to virtual ADR over the last year, the addition of neutrals in one market benefits the legal and business communities on a national level, as they now have easier access to experienced dispute resolution professionals regardless of where they are located.
- Chris Poole, JAMS President and CEO
The Houston Resolution Center was designed with an eye on three core principles—synchronicity, concord and motion—providing the resources mediators and arbitrators need in a refined and sophisticated environment. It is outfitted with multiple conference rooms and a large arbitration room to facilitate all types of ADR proceedings, while ensuring the privacy of all parties. The location also includes a spacious lobby, café and other amenities to ensure comfortable proceedings for attorneys and their clients.
The address for the Houston Resolution Center is 609 Main St., Houston, Texas 77002.
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.
