Chicago – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. Mary Colleen Roberts (Ret.) has been honored with the Community Leadership Award by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA). The award was presented at the ISBA’s annual Member Appreciation and Recognition Reception on May 15.
Presented by the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI), this award recognizes individuals for their efforts to foster understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and the legal issues of concern to them. Award honorees have, by individual example and education, worked to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Judge Roberts on receiving the ISBA’s Community Leadership Award. This honor is a powerful reflection of her longstanding dedication to equity, inclusion and the advancement of the LGBTQ+ community within the legal profession. Her leadership has inspired meaningful change and continues to resonate throughout Chicago and beyond. We are proud to have her as part of the JAMS panel and grateful to the ISBA and the SOGI committee for recognizing the importance of this work.”
Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president
Judge Roberts joined JAMS in 2025 after 18 years of service on the Cook County bench and an additional 17 years of service to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and City of Chicago. While on the bench, she presided over cases across a range of divisions, including the Law Division, Domestic Relations Division, Juvenile Justice Division and Municipal Division. During her time in the Law Division, Judge Roberts presided over complex commercial disputes involving breach of contract, business partnerships, deceptive practices, employment, professional liability, condominium actions, real property and construction.
Throughout her time at JAMS, Judge Roberts has served as an arbitrator, mediator, court-appointed neutral and neutral evaluator. Beyond her work as a neutral, she is a founding member of the Alliance of Illinois Judges, which was formed to serve as a resource for judges and the legal community and to help mentor LGBTQ+ law students. She has also served as the president of the Illinois Judges Association and is an active member of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, Women’s Bar Association and the ISBA.
More information about the ISBA Community Leadership Award 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. With a roster of nearly 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.
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