JAMS Leads With Record Number of Neutrals Listed and Unmatched ADR Presence in 2024 Edition of Chambers USA
JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that 24 neutrals were ranked in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. This is the largest number of neutrals recognized to date in an annual Chambers guide.
"We are proud to see a record number of our neutrals recognized by Chambers USA in this year's annual ranking, as well as the largest number of neutrals represented by any ADR provider," said Chris Poole, JAMS CEO. "We strive to continue to lead the industry in our service offerings, national prominence and commitment to the clients we serve."
Additionally, Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq., and Gerald A. Kurland, Esq., received recognition as "star individuals," which is a designation for legal professionals with exceptional recommendations in their field. Three JAMS neutrals were ranked in multiple categories, including Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq.; Hon. Diane M. Welsh (Ret.); and Michael D. Young, Esq.
The following includes the full list of recognized panelists, grouped by category, as well as excerpts from the guide and their JAMS biographies:
Construction: Mediators (California)
Deborah S. Ballati, Esq., FCIArb, focuses her practice on construction and insurance coverage mediation and arbitration. She has experience mediating complex disputes involving payment, delay and contract interpretation issues. She is known for being "very thorough and very smart" and a mediator who "certainly understands and controls the process very well." A source commended her for being "at the top of her field."
Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq., has considerable experience handling construction mediations involving large commercial projects and transport systems. He is regularly involved in very high value and complex cases. A source lauded him for his "high-level grasp of virtually anything related to the construction industry." He is known for his diligence, responsiveness and profound industry knowledge.
Gerald A. Kurland, Esq., wins praise from across the market for his mediation practice. He offers notable experience in matters concerning large construction projects in the health care and sports sectors. A source commented that he is a "go-to mediator" and added, "He will work a case until it is done and will work day and night. He is amazing and is always my No. 1 choice for construction."
Construction: Mediators (District of Columbia)
Andrew D. Ness, Esq., FCIArb, has extensive experience acting as a mediator in construction matters. He is well regarded for being "incredibly knowledgeable about both construction and insurance matters" and is sought after for his tremendous legal skills, background in engineering, thoughtfulness and patience.
Labor & Employment: Mediators (Florida)
Scott J. Silverman (Retired Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, Florida) has notable experience mediating a wide range of employment matters, including discrimination, retaliation and harassment. A source shared that he is "very effective at interaction with both plaintiffs and defendants," and another shared that he is a "great mediator."
Construction: Mediation (New York)
Michael D. Young, Esq., is nationally known and highly regarded for his mediation practice. He is recognized for his considerable experience mediating construction disputes. A source commended him for being "one of the best in the business." Another source shared that he "brings common sense and commercial acumen to resolving disputes and is well prepared for each mediation session."
Litigation: Mediators (Pennsylvania)
Hon. Diane M. Welsh (Ret.) is highly recommended in the market for her experience as a mediator. She is particularly skilled in employment, personal injury and mass tort disputes. She is known for her good demeanor and ability to bring people to a consensus. A source commented that she is "one of the best around," and another shared that she is "simply the best mediator I have worked with."
Hon. Thomas J. Rueter (Ret.) is a highly regarded mediator and has extensive experience acting as a judge in the magistrate court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. His vast experience in multidistrict litigation settlements stands out, and he is also known for his work as a special master/discovery referee, having resolved numerous complex e-discovery matters.
International Arbitration: Arbitrators (USA ? Nationwide)
Robert B. Davidson, Esq., FCIArb, is an experienced arbitrator who handles commercial disputes under a broad range of institutional rules, including those of the ICC, LCIA and ICDR. A source shared that he "conducts a fair and efficient process and is very collegiate," and another shared that he is a "thoughtful and wise leader."
Mediators (USA ? Nationwide)
Hon. Ariel E. Belen (Ret.), FCIArb, is highly regarded for his adept handling of a wide range of domestic and international disputes and possesses considerable experience mediating complex contractual matters, among others. A source noted that "he is my go-to mediator. He understands the issues on a deep level and has a fantastic demeanor."
Hon. William J. Cahill (Ret.) has a wide and varied mediation practice and is frequently sought out to resolve securities, breach of contract and insurance disputes, among others. A source lauded him for being "a very quick study." Another source added that he "understands the business of law very well."
Bruce A. Friedman, Esq., draws on his litigation background to adeptly mediate complex insurance, class action and other commercial disputes. It was noted by a source that he "has a keen eye for the strengths and weaknesses of each side's case and is relentless and creative in pursuing settlement opportunities."
Hon. Jay C. Gandhi (Ret.) is sought after for his tremendous ability to resolve complex, high-stakes cases. He mediates class actions among a wide range of commercial disputes. A source shared that he "employes sophisticated strategies to bring the parties to resolution and is very attuned to businesses' economic realities."
David Geronemus, Esq., boasts extensive mediation experience and is able to assist clients in a range of insurance disputes, class actions and breach of contract cases. A source noted that he is their "go-to mediator for complex disputes" and that he is "exemplary in every respect." Another source lauded him for his approach to "addressing the merits of the dispute at length in order to sensitize all participants to the risks of not settling."
Kenneth C. Gibbs, Esq., ably assists clients in resolving significant disputes, with particular experience in construction and insurance-related matters. A source shared, "Mr. Gibbs is very informed of the issues in dispute and comes up with creative solutions to the problems facing the clients."
Marc E. Isserles, Esq., is experienced in mediating a range of complex commercial matters, with a deep understanding of high-profile entertainment industry disputes. A source shared, "He is the smartest person in the room. He easily grasps the most complicated issues and will work tirelessly to help the parties reach resolution."
Jed D. Melnick, Esq., offers mediation services in a range of commercial matters, with experience in securities class actions and financial disputes. A source commented that he "has established himself as one of the preeminent mediators for large, complex disputes." Another shared that he is "a standout star" and is "creative, collaborative, thoughtful and never gives up."
Robert A. Meyer, Esq., maintains a distinguished mediation practice that encompasses a broad variety of high-stakes commercial litigation, including intellectual property cases, environmental disputes and securities class actions. He is known for being an exceptional problem-solver, and a source shared that he is "my first choice for a mediator" and that they frequently recommend him.
Andrew Nadolna, Esq., has extensive experience settling a range of significant disputes. He has a notable strength in handling complex insurance matters, leveraging his considerable in-house experience. A source praised him with the following comment: "Mr. Nadolna brings a unique and unmatched level of experience ... to insurance coverage claims and litigation. He's a tireless and devoted mediator."
Barbara A. Reeves, Esq., CEDS, is regularly called upon to settle litigation between entities in the media, technology and health care spaces. Her years of experience allow her to focus settlement discussions in a manner most likely to achieve resolution. Working with counsel, she develops agendas for mediations with consideration for the unique issues and personalities presented by each case.
Hon. Janice M. Symchych (Former) has decades of legal and judicial experience in all facets of life sciences, along with deep understanding and experience mediating a range of complex, multiparty disputes, particularly those involving the False Claims Act. A source noted that she is "doggedly persistent and gets results, even where prior efforts at mediation have failed."
Hon. Daniel Weinstein (Ret.) is particularly adept at resolving class actions, often concerning complex real estate or antitrust issues, as well as shareholder disputes. A source shared that he "works relentlessly to try to resolve cases."
Hon. Diane M. Welsh (Ret.) mediates multiparty disputes spanning commercial, employment, mass torts and insurance. Known for her excellence and strong preparation, a source commented, "I think very highly of her. She is always prepared and very balanced and is highly effective in bringing the parties to an agreement."
Hon. Rebecca Westerfield (Ret.) is called upon to mediate a range of complex disputes, including cases involving personal liability, class actions, investment fraud, shareholder disputes, employment and fraudulent financial conduct issues. She is regarded as being very strong and hardworking. A source shared that they "trust her judgment" and that she is "particularly attuned to the dynamics in a negotiation."
Bradley A. Winters, Esq., offers mediation services for a multitude of issues, from single-plaintiff personal injury matters to multiparty commercial disputes. A source praised him as "an excellent mediator in numerous complex and difficult class actions" and a professional who "works efficiently and tirelessly to obtain appropriate results."
Cathy Yanni, Esq., handles high-profile national disputes and often mediates pharmaceutical mass torts and employment cases. She recently became trustee of the $13.5 billion Fire Victim Trust, created as part of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company's bankruptcy settlement. She directly oversaw all claims resolutions, including the design and implementation of the claims resolution process. She has distributed $12.4 billion to 62,000 claimants. A source lauded her as someone who "brings order to the most complex settlement scenarios."
Michael D. Young, Esq., focuses on mediating a range of business-related cases for clients and helps to settle disputes involving securities, commercial contract and insurance coverage issues. A source noted that he has "a calm manner, is effective, understands issues and does his homework."
About JAMS ? Local Solutions. Global Reach.
Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide. JAMS successfully resolves and manages business and legal disputes by providing efficient, cost-effective and impartial ways to overcome barriers at any stage of conflict. JAMS offers customized in-person, virtual and hybrid resolution services locally and globally through a combination of industry-specific experience, first-class client service, the latest technology and highly trained mediators and arbitrators.
With a roster of over 450 neutrals and 29 locations, JAMS resolves thousands of the world's important cases every year. JAMS neutrals are adept at managing the resolution process whether they are conducting in-person, virtual or hybrid hearings.
More information is available at www.jamsadr.com, and you can connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and our JAMS ADR blog. To learn about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at JAMS, visit www.jamsadr.com/diversity/.
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