Retired Chief Judge Sean F. Cox Honored With the Frank Murphy Award by the Detroit Bar Association

Detroit – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Sean F. Cox, Retired Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, has been honored with the Frank Murphy Award by the Detroit Bar Association. The award was presented during the organization’s “Raising the Bar” annual dinner on June 11 at the Detroit Golf Club.

The Frank Murphy Award recognizes individuals whose contributions extend beyond professional achievement, honoring those who inspire others, strengthen their communities and embody the ideals of service, civility and excellence within the legal profession.   

"Judge Cox has dedicated his career to helping people navigate difficult issues and reach meaningful resolutions. We are pleased to see his work recognized by the Detroit Bar Association, and we congratulate him on this honor."

Kimberly Taylor, CEO and president of JAMS

Judge Cox became a JAMS neutral following nearly 30 years of distinguished judicial service, including as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. During his time on the federal bench, he presided over a wide range of complex matters, including class and collective actions, multidistrict litigation and significant civil and criminal cases. Prior to his judicial service, he was a partner at Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, where he focused on municipal and personal injury litigation, including medical malpractice. Drawing on his extensive judicial and litigation experience, he brings a thoughtful, practical approach to dispute resolution, helping parties navigate complex disputes and identify common ground.

Throughout his career, Judge Cox has played a key role in resolving some of Michigan’s most significant disputes. He served on the mediation team in Detroit’s municipal bankruptcy, helping facilitate a landmark public utility agreement that led to the creation of the Great Lakes Water Authority, which serves nearly 40% of Michigan’s population. He also presided over the federal criminal case against Volkswagen AG involving conspiracy to defraud and Clean Air Act violations, which resulted in a guilty plea and a $2.8 billion criminal penalty.

More information on the Frank Murphy award can be found here.

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.