Hon. William E. Smith (Ret.) Joins JAMS in Boston

Boston – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. William E. Smith (Ret.) has joined its panel following more than 23 years of distinguished service on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, including six years as chief judge.

Appointed in 2002, Judge Smith was the youngest jurist to serve as chief judge in the district’s history. He has presided over more than 130 jury and bench trials, authored more than 1,600 opinions and regularly mediated cases both on his own docket and at the request of colleagues. He also sat by designation on the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First and Ninth Circuits, as well as on the U.S. District Courts for the Districts of Massachusetts, Puerto Rico and Idaho. He practiced labor and employment law at Edwards & Angell from 1987 to 2002.

Based in the Boston Resolution Center, Judge Smith will serve as an arbitrator, mediator, court‑appointed neutral (special master/referee) and neutral evaluator, handling business and commercial, labor and employment, insurance, intellectual property, antitrust, environmental and energy, and civil rights matters. He is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally.

“Judge Smith brings deep judicial experience, a nuanced understanding of complex litigation and a proven ability to help parties evaluate risk and move toward resolution. His thoughtful preparation, direct engagement with counsel and commanding presence make him an exceptional addition to the JAMS panel.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Judge Smith has also demonstrated a deep commitment to legal education and public service. For more than 15 years, he has served as an adjunct faculty member at Roger Williams University School of Law, teaching courses on complex litigation, expert and scientific evidence, and judicial process. He chaired the law school’s board of directors for nine years and now serves as a senior fellow at the Watson School of International and Public Policy at Brown University, where he leads a study group on courts and public policy.    

"During 23 years on the federal bench and 15 years as a labor and employment lawyer, nothing was more satisfying than mediating and resolving what seemed like an intractable dispute—and then hearing ‘We couldn’t have done it without you,’” said Judge Smith.

Judge Smith earned his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A. from Georgetown University, where he was a George F. Baker Scholar.

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.