Hon. Mary E. Wiss (Ret.) Joins JAMS in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, today announced that Hon. Mary E. Wiss (Ret.) has joined JAMS as a neutral based in Northern California. During a distinguished judicial career spanning 24 years, Mary E. Wiss served on the San Francisco Superior Court, presiding over matters in the Complex, Civil, Criminal and Probate divisions.

Based in the San Francisco Resolution Center, Judge Wiss will serve as an arbitrator and mediator, handling business/commercial, class action, construction, employment, estate/probate/trust, insurance, personal injury and professional liability matters. She is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally.

“Judge Wiss is both a trailblazer and a highly respected member of California’s judiciary. Her extensive experience managing complex disputes, combined with her sound judgment and practical approach, will make her a tremendous resource for parties and counsel. We are pleased to welcome her to our talented panel.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Judge Wiss was the first woman assigned to the court's Complex Litigation Department and handled a broad range of high-profile disputes, including class actions, Judicial Council coordinated proceedings, employment claims, construction litigation, insurance coverage matters and probate disputes. She also served as a justice pro tempore on California's First District Court of Appeal. Prior to her appointment to the bench in 2001, she maintained a litigation practice in San Francisco, representing clients in personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, medical negligence and other civil matters.

Judge Wiss is widely recognized throughout California's legal community. Her service has included leadership roles with the California Judges Association, the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Queen's Bench and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers. She has also been a frequent speaker on topics including civil litigation, probate law, settlement practices and judicial decision-making. In 2010, she received the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association's Trial Judge of the Year Award.

“After 24 years on the bench, I look forward to bringing to JAMS an even-handed approach and an ability to efficiently manage complex matters. My goal is to assist parties to identify objectives, evaluate options and work toward prompt resolution,” said Judge Wiss.

Judge Wiss earned her J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, her M.S. from Lone Mountain College and her B.A. from the University of San Francisco.

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.