Los Angeles – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is proud to announce that the Inner City Law Center (ICLC) has honored the organization with the 2024 Katharine Krause Award. This award recognizes the services of individuals within the organization, including Richard Chernick, Esq., and Joan B. Kessler, Esq., Ph.D., who have provided substantial work benefiting the ICLC and the communities they serve. The award was presented during the ICLC’s 24th Annual Awards Luncheon on May 8.
Founded in 1980, the ICLC is a nonprofit, poverty-law firm working to end the homelessness crisis by providing free legal services to the most vulnerable residents of Los Angeles. Presented annually, the Katharine Krause Award honors champions who have worked to bring justice to people experiencing homelessness. It also serves as an acknowledgement of the commitment to legal aid and community service demonstrated by recipients.
“The work of Richard Chernick, Dr. Joan Kessler and many of our JAMS neutrals reinforces JAMS’ commitment to supporting the Los Angeles community. Each of our neutrals and team members involved with the ICLC has worked to provide pro bono services to causes and programs that they are deeply passionate about, and we are proud to have received this award.”
- Chris Poole, JAMS CEO
Over the years, individuals at JAMS have supported the work of the ICLC in various ways. Dr. Kessler currently serves as the ICLC liaison for the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) Foundation Board of Governors. Elliot K. Gordon, Esq., serves on the ICLC Board of Directors, and Hon. Carlos Moreno (Ret.) serves on the Advisory Board. Mr. Chernick, a longtime supporter of the ICLC, has also previously served as the president of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles—where he worked alongside Katharine Krause herself, the namesake of the ICLC award.
Additionally, this award highlights the pro bono mediation program at JAMS, which Dr. Kessler was instrumental in establishing. Last year alone, several JAMS neutrals provided pro bono mediation services for multiple ICLC cases.
More information about the Inner City Law Center can be found here.
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 LinkedIn, Facebook,X and our JAMS ADR blog. To learn about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at JAMS, visit www.jamsadr.com/diversity/.
