Hon. Grace G. Dickler (Ret.) Receives The Lilac Tree’s 5th Annual Honor Service Award

Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. Grace G. Dickler (Ret.) is the 2026 recipient of The Lilac Tree’s 5th Annual Honor Service Award. The award was presented on May 14 at the organization’s annual event in Chicago.

The Honor Service Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting families and advancing the practice of family law and divorce-related services in Illinois. Judge Dickler was selected for her long-standing leadership, commitment to mediation and meaningful impact on the legal community and the families it serves.

“Judge Dickler has been a trusted and influential figure in the Illinois family law community for decades. Her more than 15 years of volunteer service with The Lilac Tree demonstrates a deep and ongoing commitment to helping families navigate difficult transitions with dignity, compassion and care. We are honored to have her on the JAMS panel and congratulate her on this wonderful recognition.”

 Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Judge Dickler is a JAMS neutral with 34 years of judicial experience on the Cook County bench, including more than 30 years focused exclusively on family law matters. She served for 11 years as presiding judge of the Domestic Relations Division and has extensive experience handling complex disputes involving parenting issues, division of assets, maintenance, business valuations and prenuptial agreements. Drawing on this background, she brings a thoughtful, practical approach to dispute resolution, helping parties navigate sensitive family matters efficiently and effectively.

Throughout her career, Judge Dickler has been recognized for advancing access to justice and expanding the use of mediation in family law matters. She helped lead significant reforms within the Cook County court system, including restructuring the Domestic Relations Division and expanding remote access and mediation initiatives for litigants.

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.