Victoria A. Roberts Honored With the 2026 Wade H. McCree, Jr. Award for the Advancement of Social Justice

Irvine, Calif. – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Victoria A. Roberts, Retired Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, was honored with the Wade H. McCree, Jr. Award for the Advancement of Social Justice by the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association (EDMIBAR). The award was presented on Feb. 11 at the Wade H. McCree, Jr. Luncheon for Social Justice at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit. 

The award honors individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the advancement of social justice. These contributions may include advancing social justice in areas involving poverty, promoting economic or educational opportunities, or fighting discrimination involving race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion or economic status.

Open to leaders across a wide range of fields, the award is named in honor of Judge Wade H. McCree, Jr., a distinguished jurist, educator and former U.S. Solicitor General whose lifelong commitment to justice, education and public service left a lasting national impact. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious community honors, the award reflects his enduring legacy.

“Throughout her career, Judge Roberts has worked to strengthen access to justice and uphold the integrity of the legal system. This recognition reflects the meaningful and lasting impact of her service on the bench and in the broader community.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Judge Roberts joined JAMS as a mediator and arbitrator following 25 years of distinguished service as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. During her tenure on the federal bench, she presided over complex civil matters and earned a reputation as a fair, even-handed jurist with a strong commitment to settlement and practical dispute resolution, frequently conducting conferences at multiple stages of litigation to help parties resolve cases efficiently.

Throughout her career, Judge Roberts has championed access to justice and equity within the legal system. She co-chaired a committee to improve the racial composition of federal juries and helped establish a pro se prisoner mediation program and a pro se legal clinic in the Detroit federal courthouse. She also taught at the University of Michigan Law School and is widely respected for her thoughtful, service-oriented approach to dispute resolution.

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 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.