Hon. Dean Pregerson (Ret.) Honored With Beacon of Justice Award by Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library

Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. Dean Pregerson (Ret.) was honored with the Beacon of Justice Award by Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library. The award was presented on April 29 at the 2026 Beacon of Justice Award Gala, held in the Mildred L. Lillie Building of the Los Angeles County Law Library.

Established in 2005, the Beacon of Justice Award honors an individual or institution for exceptional work advancing the cause of justice and strengthening the legal community. This recognition celebrates exceptional leadership, an unwavering commitment to access to justice and the respect and esteem earned among peers.

The award recognizes Judge Pregerson’s distinguished career on the bench, his dedication to fairness and integrity, and his profound and lasting contributions to the administration of justice. His work has not only served the legal community with distinction, but also inspired confidence in the rule of law and advanced the cause of justice for all.

The Los Angeles County Law Library is the second-largest law library in the country, surpassed only by the Library of Congress. It provides critical support to attorneys, judges and individuals who cannot afford legal representation. It serves 120,000 clients each year and hosts over 600 classes and workshops at its locations throughout Southern California.

“Judge Pregerson’s decades-long work both on and off the bench reflects a deep understanding of both the law and the people it serves. He is widely respected for his  thoughtful, balanced approach and his ability to bring parties together to resolve even the most complex matters.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Judge Pregerson joined JAMS following nearly 29 years of distinguished service as a United States district judge, where he presided over thousands of civil cases, conducted approximately 80 jury trials and regularly sat by designation on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, participating in 150 appeals and authoring 11 published opinions. His experience spans a broad range of federal and state law, and he is widely respected for his integrity, work ethic and pragmatic approach to complex, high-stakes matters.

Known for his collaborative style and commitment to resolution, Judge Pregerson takes pride in helping parties settle difficult cases by working closely with counsel to understand client priorities and develop practical, and often creative, solutions. Drawing on decades of judicial and trial experience, he brings a deep understanding of the legal and real-world considerations that shape outcomes, earning a reputation for fairness and effectiveness in resolving disputes that might otherwise proceed to trial. His career reflects the highest ideals of the legal profession: integrity, service and a deep commitment to expanding access to justice.

More information about Friends of Los Angeles County Law Library 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.