JAMS Foundation Recognizes DC Peace Team

Irvine, Calif. – The JAMS Foundation is pleased to present the 18^th annual Warren Knight Distinguished Service award to DC Peace Team, along with a $25,000 grant. The award recognizes DC Peace Team’s longstanding commitment to strengthening communities through its nonviolent skills training, restorative practices, and work in unarmed civilian protection and accompaniment. The award was presented at the American Bar Association International Law Section Annual Conference on May 12 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

Established in memory of the founder of JAMS, H. Warren Knight, the Warren Knight Distinguished Service Award and grant recognizes the work of extraordinary individuals and organizations in advancing collaborative forms of dispute resolution and the peaceful resolution of conflict.

“For the last 15 years, DC Peace Team’s work reflects the very best of what this award and grant were created to recognize - practical, community-based approaches that reduce conflict and build trust. Through its training and on-the-ground efforts, the organization is making a meaningful difference in how communities address and prevent violence. Their work is creating lasting change in the communities they serve and we are very proud to honor them with this award.”

David Brandon, managing director of the JAMS Foundation

Since 2011, DC Peace Team has trained more than 14,500 individuals in nonviolent skills, equipping participants with tools to de-escalate harmful conflict, build empathy, and support safer communities. Its training programs focus on practical application, helping individuals build the skills needed to respond effectively in real-world situations.

In addition to its training efforts, DC Peace Team provides unarmed civilian protection in community spaces. In 2025, the organization conducted 154 trainings and delivered more than 800 hours of support, working to de-escalate conflict, build relationships and promote safety during public gatherings and in everyday community life.

“We’re honored to receive the Warren Knight Award at a time when our communities are feeling both strain and a deep longing for more generative ways to work through conflict. This support will expand our nonviolent skill training, community safety unit deployments, and restorative circle offerings in DC and nationwide, helping us strengthen the skills and habits of nonviolence needed to resist injustice and build a more sustainable, just peace,” said Leah Landry, Director of Operations of DC Peace Team.Judge Knight, who founded JAMS in January 1979, was a pioneer in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). He was instrumental in introducing and furthering ADR throughout the United States.

About the JAMS Foundation
The nonprofit JAMS Foundation was established in 2002 by JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide. The mission of the JAMS Foundation is to provide financial assistance for conflict resolution initiatives with national and international impact and to share its dispute resolution expertise for the benefit of the public interest.

The Foundation is funded entirely by contributions from JAMS neutrals, executives and associates, and a substantial annual donation from JAMS. To uphold the company's core value of neutrality, the Foundation accepts no donations outside of JAMS. The Foundation currently comprises more than 300 principal benefactors and has provided over $14 million in grant funding since its inception.

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.