Hon. JoAnne McCracken (Ret.) Joins JAMS in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley, Calif. – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. JoAnne McCracken (Ret.) has joined its panel. She brings nearly four decades of legal experience, including more than 15 years on the bench.

Judge McCracken served on the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, from 2010 to 2026, where she presided over a wide range of civil matters, including commercial, real estate, probate and family law cases. In recent years, she was the court’s primary civil settlement conference judge. In this role, she handled mediations and settlement conferences, earning a reputation for her high settlement rate.

Based in the Silicon Valley Resolution Center, Judge McCracken will serve as a mediator, arbitrator, neutral evaluator and court-appointed neutral (special master/referee), handling business and commercial, family law, real property and real estate, personal injury, insurance, professional liability, employment, and estate, probate and trust matters.

“Judge McCracken is widely respected for her ability to help parties navigate complex disputes and reach resolution. Drawing on decades of experience as a trial lawyer, prosecutor and judge, she brings thoughtful preparation, sound judgment and a practical approach to every matter. We are pleased to welcome her to JAMS and our Silicon Valley panel.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Prior to joining the bench, Judge McCracken practiced civil litigation, focusing on legal malpractice and insurance defense matters. She then spent more than 20 years as a criminal prosecutor with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, where she served in a variety of trial and leadership assignments, including chief trial deputy. During her prosecutorial career, she personally tried more than 65 cases to verdict, including lengthy homicide, sexual assault and other serious felony cases, and supervised attorneys handling complex criminal matters.

“Helping parties resolve disputes is deeply rewarding work. Drawing on nearly 40 years as a trial lawyer and judge, I provide candid, realistic assessments and creative solutions to help parties reach practical, lasting resolutions,” said Judge McCracken.

Judge McCracken earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Santa Clara University School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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.