Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is honored to announce that JAMS’ Orange County Resolution Center has been recognized by the Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law (OCCDL) as one of the Top 10 Legal Organizations for DEI in Orange County.
This award honors organizations that provide excellent legal services and work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the Orange County community. Nominations for this award are reviewed and selected by the OCCDL Board of Directors and OCCDL Professional Development Committee.
We are tremendously honored to be recognized by the OCCDL for our efforts to push the needle for diversity, equity and inclusion within the legal industry. At JAMS, we believe that the strength of our organization lies within our people. Empowering individuals from all backgrounds fuels the innovation, creativity and strategic thinking that best serve our clients in Orange County and across the nation.
- Gina Miller, JAMS senior vice president, U.S. West Region
JAMS was one of the first major ADR providers to take the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge and was the first to introduce an inclusion clause, which encourages parties to consider diversity when choosing an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators. The organization has also set a goal to increase the percentage of diverse neutrals by at least 50% by 2023.
Additionally, nearly half of JAMS’ top executives are women, with Kimberly Taylor, Esq., being named president in March 2021. The value placed on recruiting and retaining diverse associates is reflected throughout the organization. Joanne Saint Louis, JAMS diversity program manager, leads a cross-functional diversity committee to discuss goals and implement strategies that accelerate progress and increase DEI across JAMS and throughout the ADR industry.
This award was presented during a ceremony on March 11 to honor both the Top Young Diverse Lawyers and Top Legal Organizations for DEI in Orange County. Jeffrey Garcia, JAMS general manager in Orange County, accepted this award on behalf of the Orange County Resolution Center.
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 in-person, virtual and hybrid resolution services locally and globally through a combination of industry-specific experience, first-class client service, the latest technology and highly trained mediators and arbitrators.
With a roster of over 400 neutrals and 29 locations, JAMS resolves thousands of the world’s important cases every year. JAMS neutrals are adept at managing the resolution process whether they are conducting in-person, virtual or hybrid hearings.
More information is available at www.jamsadr.com, and you can connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and our JAMS ADR blog. To learn about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at JAMS, visit www.jamsadr.com/diversity/.