Philadelphia – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. Christine Ward (Ret.) has joined its panel in Philadelphia. Judge Ward brings over two decades of distinguished judicial service and a comprehensive background in complex commercial litigation to her role as a neutral at JAMS.
Judge Ward served on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas from 2003 to 2023, working in the court’s Civil and Family divisions. She additionally held a prestigious role as an administrative judge on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 2017 to 2024. Her leadership was instrumental in shaping the Commerce and Complex Litigation Center in Pittsburgh, where she presided over high-stakes disputes involving corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, trade secrets and intellectual property.
Based in the Philadelphia Resolution Center, Judge Ward will serve as an arbitrator, mediator, special master/referee and neutral evaluator, handling business and commercial, employment, intellectual property, real estate, civil rights, personal injury and family law matters. She is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally.
“Judge Ward is widely recognized for her pragmatism and balanced approach both in and outside of the courtroom. Her extensive contributions to the business litigation and judicial fields have left a lasting impact on the legal communities in Pennsylvania and beyond. We are pleased to welcome her to JAMS and look forward to seeing her bring this wealth of experience to help parties resolve even the most complex and challenging disputes.”
Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president
Prior to joining the bench, Judge Ward had an accomplished career in private practice, including as a founding member of Sweeney Metz McGrann & Schermer. She also held partner roles at Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis and Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote. Additionally, she has been actively involved with the American College of Business Court Judges, where she served as president, and she has represented the judiciary in various capacities within the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section.
“After serving 23 years on the bench, primarily as a business court judge, and spending two decades litigating commercial and employment disputes, I am delighted to join JAMS to assist parties with cost-effective resolution through mediation or arbitration,” said Judge Ward.
Judge Ward earned her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and her B.A. from Washington & Jefferson College. In service to her alma mater, she also worked as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law from 2014 to 2020.
About JAMS – The Way Forward
JAMS is the world’s largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services, handling more than 21,000 cases annually. With nearly 500 neutrals and 29 locations, JAMS delivers efficient, cost-effective and impartial solutions for business and legal disputes at any stage of conflict. Since its founding in 1979, its distinguished panel has included retired federal and state court judges, former litigators, transactional attorneys and other ADR professionals with deep industry and practice area experience. JAMS offers customized in-person, virtual and hybrid resolution services to provide a seamless experience through concierge-level client care, highly skilled case managers and advanced technology.
Building on this foundation, JAMS Pathways provides organizations with early conflict resolution, facilitation and training, helping teams prevent disputes before they escalate.
With a legacy of trust and innovation, JAMS helps parties find the way forward so they can focus on what matters most. Learn more at www.jamsadr.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and the JAMS ADR blog.