JAMS and Law.com Release 2025 ADR Industry Trends Survey

Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, in collaboration with Law.com, today released findings from its 2025 ADR Industry Trends Survey, showing that alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is now a standard and growing component of legal strategy, with nearly half of practitioners using ADR services at least once per month.

JAMS leaders, together with Law.com, discussed the findings during the Jan. 29 webcast “State of the ADR Industry: What’s Shaping 2026 and Why It Matters Now,” featuring senior vice presidents Elizabeth Carter, Esq., and Gina Miller, with Tomek Jankowski, director of Pacesetter Research at ALM, serving as moderator and co-presenter.

The ALM-hosted webcast explored the current state of the ADR landscape, examining adoption trends, efficiency benchmarks and the role of technology and process design in shaping results. Insights from attorneys who completed the survey include that ADR is a growing part of legal strategy, with almost half of respondents turning to ADR services at least once per month and almost all respondents expecting their use of ADR will either remain the same next year or increase.

“These findings reinforce what we see every day in the market. ADR is no longer an alternative option, but a critical tool for resolving disputes with speed and efficiency. The demand for trusted and innovative ADR services has never been stronger as clients seek solutions that reduce cost, protect confidentiality and preserve valuable business relationships. This feedback from practitioners underscores the importance of depth of experience and flexibility, both of which sit at the heart of JAMS.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

According to the survey, the top reasons organizations are choosing ADR over litigation include speed of resolution, lower costs, client demand, rising litigation costs and relationship preservation. Technology is also playing an important role in ADR, with a majority of respondents using virtual platforms in some of their cases. The findings additionally indicated that mediation is the most widely used ADR form, with 87% of respondents indicating it was the process they used most in 2025.

“Our research is designed to capture how the legal industry is evolving in real time, and this survey offers a clear window into how attorneys are integrating ADR into their practices,” said Tomek Jankowski, director, Pacesetter Research, Law.com. “These findings provide an important benchmark for firms and corporate legal departments as they plan for the year ahead and respond to changing client expectations.”

To view key findings, access the 2026 State of ADR report here. Additional information about the survey, along with the full webinar recording, is available 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 over 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.

About Law.com 

Law.com is the industry’s leading source for legal news, insights, and intelligence, delivering unmatched reporting and analysis across a global network of publications, proprietary data, research tools, and events. With unparalleled expertise and real-time coverage, Law.com equips legal professionals with the strategic intelligence they need to stay informed, make confident decisions, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. 

Law.com operates under ALM and LBR, which merged in 2025 to form the premier global information and intelligence company serving the legal industry. Together, ALM and LBR provide comprehensive legal news, exclusive data, performance benchmarking, and actionable insights that support both the business and practice of law. From global law firms to corporate legal departments, more than 7 million legal professionals rely on their trusted platforms for the news, analysis, and tools that drive results.