Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that 17 neutrals were ranked in the 2022 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. This is the largest number of neutrals recognized to date in an annual Chambers guide. Additionally, Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq., received recognition as a “star individual,” which is a designation for legal professionals with exceptional recommendations in their field.
The following includes the full list of recognized panelists, grouped by category, as well as excerpts from the guide and their JAMS biographies:
Construction: Mediators (California)
Deborah S. Ballati, Esq., focuses her practice on construction and insurance coverage mediation and arbitration. She has experience mediating disputes involving surety, payment and contract interpretation.
George D. Calkins II, Esq., has significant experience mediating disputes involving public works projects.
Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq., has considerable experience handling construction disputes involving landmarks, large commercial projects and transport systems. He is regularly involved in very high-value and complex cases. A source praised him as “one of the best construction ADR professionals in the U.S.”
Gerald A. Kurland, Esq., has notable expertise in cases concerning large-scale global and engineering construction matters and “is a first-rate construction mediator.” A source shared that he is “an outstanding mediator for complex disputes; he understands the incentives and interests of the various parties, listens well and relentlessly advances the discussion toward resolution.”
Construction: Mediators (Washington, D.C.)
Andrew D. Ness, Esq., FCIArb, has extensive experience acting as a mediator in construction matters and is regarded as a “go-to attorney for mediation.” A source commented, “Andrew is a terrific mediator and really smart—you can’t pull the wool over his eyes. He also knows how to handle difficult parties in a positive, polite and constructive way.”
International Arbitration (USA – Nationwide)
Robert B. Davidson, Esq., FCIArb, has been ranked consistently in Chambers since 2010. He has particular expertise handling commercial disputes under a broad range of institutional rules. A source shared that “Bob is one of the strongest arbitrators in the market. He runs an efficient and fair process and is analytically very strong.” Another added that he is “delightful.”
Mediators (USA – Nationwide)
Hon. Ariel E. Belen (Ret.), FCIArb, is highly regarded for his adept handling of a wide range of domestic and international disputes, and possesses considerable experience mediating complex contractual matters, among others.
Hon. William J. Cahill (Ret.) has a wide and varied mediation practice and is frequently sought out to resolve securities, breach of contract and insurance disputes, among others.
Bruce A. Friedman, Esq., draws on his litigation background to adeptly mediate complex insurance-related disputes, with further expertise in commercial matters including class actions, professional liability, entertainment, real estate and business disputes.
David Geronemus, Esq., boasts extensive mediation experience and is able to assist clients in a range of insurance disputes, securities class actions and breach of contract cases. A source noted, “He's very talented and a natural at mediation.” Another shared, “His attention to detail is unmatched. He quickly gets to the heart of the issues, and persists until the matter is concluded.”
Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq., ably assists clients in resolving significant disputes, with particular expertise in construction and insurance-related matters. A source praised that he “has a broad knowledge of construction and is a very experienced mediator who is able to get parties to reach a reasoned resolution.”
Robert A. Meyer, Esq., works to settle high-stakes securities litigation, antitrust disputes, professional malpractice suits and complex litigation. A source shared that he is “a very good listener, shows patience and doesn't rush things. He also brings good humor so it’s very hard for tensions to get high in his mediations.” Another shared that “he’s a strong and very experienced mediator.”
Barbara A. Reeves, Esq., CEDS, is regularly called upon to settle litigation between entities in the media, technology and healthcare spaces. A source remarked that “she combines very strong subject matter expertise across a variety of topics with a deft ability to handle numerous and strong-willed counsel.” Another commented, “She is knowledgeable, well prepared and effective.”
Hon. Daniel Weinstein (Ret.) is particularly adept at resolving class actions, often concerning complex real estate or antitrust issues, as well as shareholder disputes. A source commented that “he's an outstanding mediator.” Another remarked, “He always understands a case at a sophisticated level and is very effective at guiding the settlement process.”
Hon. Diane M. Welsh (Ret.) specializes in mediating multiparty disputes spanning commercial, employment, mass torts and insurance. A source shared that “she digs in, understands the facts and dynamics and reads the room well. She is dedicated and persistent and able to forge settlements in challenging cases.”
Hon. Rebecca Westerfield (Ret.) is called upon to mediate a range of complex disputes, including cases involving class actions, products liability insurance, personal liability, employment and fraudulent financial conduct. A source remarked, “Rebecca is an excellent mediator and is very sophisticated in managing challenging mediations.” Another praised that “she is a quick study and gets to the crux of the issues quickly and easily.”
Cathy Yanni, Esq., handles high-profile national lawsuits and specializes mediating and allocating settlements in pharmaceutical mass torts, bankruptcy, class actions and MDLs, employment, ERISA, wage and hour, privacy and data breach disputes. Known for working closely with parties to design and implement processes that lead to fair and efficient settlement, she is often chosen by judges, parties, and lawyers as Settlement Special Master to allocate settlements in large national mass torts. A source praised her as “an exceptional mediator. Cathy is clear-headed, hard-working, caring and has a common-sense response to problem-solving.”
Michael D. Young, Esq., focuses on mediating a range of business-related cases for clients and helps to settle disputes involving contract, securities, antitrust and insurance coverage issues. Chambers has previously noted that he “enjoys a strong reputation for his expert understanding of complex insurance and class action disputes, as well as a wide range of other matters” and that his “deft, subtle handling of mediations. . .” makes him “part of the A-list of mediators.”
About Chambers and Partners
Chambers and Partners is an independent research company operating across 200 jurisdictions and delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world’s leading lawyers. Chambers empowers organizations to make informed decisions when selecting legal services, saving time and resources and reducing risk. Chambers’ 200 research analysts provide unique insight into complex areas of law in different jurisdictions. Chambers conducts tens of thousands of interviews a year with in-house counsel and third-party experts, such as barristers and accountants, delivering detailed insight into providers of legal services.
The USA Guide was first introduced in 2003 and ranks the leading firms and lawyers in over 50 different practice areas and sectors throughout the country, including rankings in every state as well as additional regional and nationwide coverage. Law firms and individual lawyers are assessed on technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by the client.
Chambers’ research, analysis and insight can be found at chambers.com.
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/.
