Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Lish Whitson, Esq., was honored with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). The award was presented at the 2025 Annual Awards Dinner on Nov. 6 in Seattle.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor the Washington Chapter of ABOTA presents each year to one of its members. Recipient are selected for their dedication to the bench and bar of Washington over the course of their career. Nominations are received from current Executive Board members before a formal vote is taken.
“Mr. Whitson’s distinguished career demonstrates the integrity, professionalism and service that define the best of our profession. We congratulate him and are proud to see his accomplishments honored by ABOTA.”
Kimberly Taylor, JAMS president and CEO
Mr. Whitson joined JAMS after several decades as a civil trial attorney representing both plaintiffs and defendants across Washington. Over the course of his career, he has litigated a wide range of matters, including contract and insurance disputes, personal injury and medical malpractice claims, and complex commercial and intellectual property cases.
For more than 30 years, Mr. Whitson has also served as a mediator and arbitrator, recognized for his thorough preparation, fairness and ability to guide parties toward resolution. He has held leadership roles in numerous legal and nonprofit organizations and was previously honored by the King County Bar Association with its Outstanding Lawyer Award for his advocacy on behalf of women seeking insurance coverage for breast cancer treatment.
More information about the ABOTA Annual Awards Dinner can be found here.
About JAMS – The Way Forward
JAMS is the premier 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.