Orange County, Calif. – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce Hon. John C. Gastelum (Ret.) has joined its panel. Judge Gastelum joins following a distinguished judicial career, serving as a member of the Orange County Superior Court’s unlimited civil panel from 2010 to 2024.
While on the bench, Judge Gastelum presided over thousands of law and motion matters, including complex discovery disputes and dispositive motions. Over the course of hundreds of jury and bench trials, he handled a variety of business litigation cases, including partnership and lease disputes, as well as personal injury, real property and contract matters.
Based in the Orange County Resolution Center, Judge Gastelum will serve as a mediator, arbitrator, special master, discovery referee and neutral evaluator, handling business and commercial, employment, personal injury and tort, and real estate matters. He is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally.
“Judge Gastelum brings deep roots in the Orange County legal community and a well-earned reputation for his preparation and measured approach. His ability to handle challenging matters with professionalism and care will make him a trusted resource for parties seeking resolution.”
Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president
Judge Gastelum also held a three-year appointment with the Orange County Superior Court’s Appellate Division, serving the last year as assistant presiding judge. He also spent several years as a member of the Superior Court’s ADR Committee. Before his appointment to the bench in 2003, he served as lead appellate court attorney for Justices Thomas Crosby, William Bedsworth and Richard Aronson of the Fourth District, Division Three, Court of Appeal in Santa Ana, California.
“I bring four decades of experience as a trial and appellate division judge and appellate research attorney handling complex civil matters—including thousands of law and motion and discovery disputes—to my ADR practice at JAMS,” said Judge Gastelum.
Judge Gastelum received his B.A., magna cum laude, from UCLA and his J.D. from the UCLA School of Law.
About JAMS – Local Solutions. Global Reach.
Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide. With a roster of over 500 neutrals and 29 locations, JAMS successfully resolves and manages tens of thousands of 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.
Building on this foundation, JAMS Pathways focuses on early conflict resolution, facilitation and training.
Learn more about JAMS Pathways at jamspathways.com.