Angela Downes, Esq., Honored With the Justice Frank G. Evans Award by the Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Texas

Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Angela Downes, Esq., was honored with the Justice Frank G. Evans Award by the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section of the State Bar of Texas. The award was presented at the Section’s Annual Meeting on Jan. 9.  

The Justice Frank G. Evans Award honors the legacy of Justice Evans, widely regarded as the founder of the ADR movement in Texas, and recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to advancing ADR in the state. Presented by the ADR Section of the State Bar of Texas, the award is open to lawyers and non-lawyers alike and does not require State Bar or Section membership.

“Ms. Downes has dedicated her career to helping people solve difficult problems with skill, empathy and practical judgment. Her leadership has shaped not only how disputes are resolved, but also how communities are strengthened through dialogue, education and opportunity. This recognition is a fitting tribute to the lasting influence she has had on ADR in Texas and beyond.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

The ADR Section of the State Bar of Texas promotes the use and quality of ADR methods statewide, including mediation, arbitration, neutral evaluation and collaborative law. Its mission is to educate the public and serve as a resource for practitioners and legislators on ADR’s role in the Texas justice system. With approximately 1,200 members, the Section supports the ADR community through networking, ADR-focused publications and affordable continuing legal education programs in partnership with TexasBarCLE.

Ms. Downes joined JAMS in Dallas as a mediator and arbitrator after a distinguished career as a neutral, educator and attorney with deep experience in policy and community-focused dispute resolution. She is a professor of practice and assistant director of experiential education at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law, where she developed and oversees the school’s clinical mediation programs, connecting students with underserved clients and expanding access to justice across the region.

Before her academic leadership role, Ms. Downes built a career focused on policy and legislative initiatives involving criminal justice, interpersonal violence, and child abuse and protection. She was widely recognized as a subject matter expert on interpersonal violence issues, regularly providing training, strategic guidance and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and state and local government officials.

More information about the Justice Frank G. Evans Award can be found here.

About JAMS – The Way Forward

JAMS is the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, handling more than 21,000 cases annually. With 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.