Hon. Thomas J. Kelley (Ret.) Joins JAMS in Chicago

Chicago – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services, is pleased to announce that Hon. Thomas J. Kelley (Ret.) has joined its panel. He joins following over 20 years on the Domestic Relations bench of the Circuit Court of Cook County in Illinois.

Judge Kelley served on the bench from 2004 to 2025, during which time he presided over more than 10,000 cases and facilitated the resolution of more than 1,000 matters for families throughout Cook County. Before his judicial service, he practiced family law in the Chicago area for 20 years. He has worked with psychiatrists, psychologists and addiction experts, as well as business valuation professionals, real estate appraisers, actuaries, lifestyle experts and certified public accountants.

Based in the Chicago Resolution Center, Judge Kelley will serve as a mediator and arbitrator, handling family law and domestic relations matters, including but not limited to contested matters relative to parenting time, pre- and postnuptial agreements, property and debt allocation, grandparent visitation and marital and nonmarital asset issues. He is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally.

“Judge Kelley’s long judicial career, his deep familiarity with family law matters and his ability to manage high-conflict proceedings make him a wonderful addition to the panel at JAMS. He is known for his steady, thoughtful approach and for helping parties stay engaged in productive conversations, even in emotionally challenging cases.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Judge Kelley is a longtime member of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, which honored him with its President’s Award for Service to the Organization in 2025. He was also named to DePaul College of Law’s Honor Wall of Judges in 2015. Prior to attending law school, Judge Kelley practiced as a Certified Public Accountant. In later legal practice, he gained extensive experience preparing individual, partnership, corporate and S corporation tax returns for clients. He leverages these skills for the benefit of couples in financial disputes.

“With over 40 years of experience as a family law judge and attorney and a background as a CPA, I look forward to resolving a wide range of family law disputes as well as other civil matters at JAMS,” said Judge Kelley. “After many years on the bench, I am eager to continue serving parties in a new role—one that allows me to focus on problem-solving, collaboration and resolution.”

Judge Kelley earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and his B.S. from Loyola University Chicago.

About JAMS – The Way Forward

JAMS is the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, handling more than 21,000 cases annually. With over 500 neutrals and 29 locations, JAMS delivers efficient, cost-effective and impartial solutions for business and legal disputes at any stage of conflict. Since its founding in 1979, its distinguished panel has included 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.