Former Chief Judge Gerald Rosen Honored With the Avern Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan

Detroit – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Gerald Rosen, Retired Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, has been honored with the Avern Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan (JBAM). The recognition was presented as part of JBAM’s 2026 Annual Awards ceremony on June 4.

The award was created to honor the contributions of its namesake, Judge Avern Cohn, to legal scholarship and the study of legal history. Judge Rosen was honored alongside this year’s recipients of the JBAM’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg Champion of Justice Award and the Chutzpah Attorney Advocate Award.

Prior to the awards presentation, attendees were invited to a conversation, Q&A and book signing with Judge Rosen, where he discussed his book, The Grand Bargain: The Inside Story of Detroit’s Dramatic Journey from Bankruptcy to Rebirth.

“Judge Rosen has made a lasting impact on the legal profession and on the City of Detroit through his leadership, integrity and ability to bring people together to solve extraordinarily complex challenges. This recognition honors a distinguished career dedicated to public service and lasting contributions to the legal and broader civic communities.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Judge Rosen is a JAMS neutral with nearly 27 years of experience on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, including service as chief judge. During his time on the federal bench, he handled a broad range of complex matters, including business and commercial disputes, intellectual property cases, antitrust and consumer litigation, class actions and multidistrict litigation. Prior to his judicial service, he was a senior partner at Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, where he focused on commercial, employment and constitutional litigation. Drawing on this extensive judicial and litigation background, he brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach to dispute resolution, helping parties navigate complex matters efficiently and effectively.

Throughout his career, Judge Rosen has been widely recognized for his skill in facilitating settlements and resolving high-profile disputes. Most notably, he served as the chief judicial mediator in the Detroit bankruptcy proceedings, helping guide the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history to a consensual resolution in just 17 months.

More information about the Avern Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award can be found here.

About JAMS – The Way Forward

JAMS is the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, with more than 500 neutrals across 29 locations. In 2025, JAMS received nearly 22,000 new case filings and handled more than 28,000 matters during the year. Founded in 1979, the organization’s distinguished panel includes 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.