Hon. Richard S. Whitney (Ret.) Joins JAMS in San Diego

SAN DIEGO – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. Richard S. Whitney (Ret.) has joined its panel. Judge Whitney joins JAMS following more than four decades of combined judicial, litigation and ADR experience.

Judge Whitney previously served on the San Diego County Superior Court, where he presided over thousands of complex business, environmental, real estate, employment, pharmaceutical, medical device and catastrophic injury disputes. His judicial experience includes high-profile environmental and land use litigation, intricate class action settlements, wrongful death matters, medical malpractice cases and significant business disputes.

Based in the San Diego Resolution Center, Judge Whitney will serve as an arbitrator, mediator and neutral evaluator (special master/referee), handling business and commercial, employment, environmental, land use and CEQA, government and public agency, insurance, personal injury, pharmaceutical and mass tort, life sciences and real estate disputes. He is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally.

“Judge Whitney combines decades of judicial experience with a practical, balanced approach to resolution. His credibility, range, preparation and ability to manage complex disputes make him a tremendous addition to our panel.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Before his judicial appointment, Judge Whitney spent more than 18 years as a civil litigator representing national and international insurance carriers and their insureds. He tried more than 20 jury trials and participated in hundreds of arbitrations and mediations. Throughout his legal career, he worked extensively with leading medical experts and developed substantial experience in the evaluation of complex medical, scientific and technical evidence. He also completed UCLA's medical training program for lawyers and frequently lectured on spinal anatomy and neuroradiology.

“I bring to JAMS extensive experience handling complex litigation as a judge, trial lawyer and neutral, including high-stakes disputes involving environmental matters, land development, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death and other commercial matters,” said Judge Whitney.

Judge Whitney earned his J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Puget Sound.

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.