Atlanta – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. Clifton B. Newman was recognized by the South Carolina Bar with the President’s Professionalism & Civility Award. Presented during the 50th Anniversary Gala on January 18 by the organization’s president, Shaheena Bennett, the award was created specifically to honor Judge Newman for his commitment to treating all individuals with civility, compassion, dignity and respect.
Born in Kingstree, Judge Newman has devoted his career to the law and serving the public in South Carolina and beyond. He joined JAMS in 2024 after serving for over 23 years as a judge on the South Carolina Circuit Court. While on the bench, he presided over the South Carolina State Grand Jury and numerous high-profile civil and criminal cases. During his years as a solicitor and during his judicial career, he presided over myriad case types, including professional negligence, business torts, construction defect, insurance coverage, wrongful death and class actions.
“Judge Newman has built a career as an advocate for fairness, equity and justice within the courts and beyond. Those who have had the opportunity to work with him respect his balanced approach in each case that he handles. Throughout his illustrious career, he has impacted the lives of many and carved a pathway forward for a more just legal system. We congratulate him on this recognition from the South Carolina Bar and are honored to have him serve on our panel.”
Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president
Last year, Judge Newman was featured in a JAMS Q&A where he discussed his role in The State v. Richard Alexander Murdaugh, a case for which he is well known nationally, as well as his career influences and his approach to and evolving view of ADR. In September 2023, he was profiled by the South Carolina Bar’s SC Lawyer Magazine alongside his daughter, Judge Jocelyn Newman, who currently serves as an at-large judge for the South Carolina Circuit Courts. In this feature, Judge Newman reflected on his philosophy as a legal professional, noting that, “I think for me, every case, every person, every legal matter, deserves the utmost attention and focus. There are no throwaway cases, there are no throwaway people. I want every defendant who appears before me to recognize the moments in the court as being some of the most important moments in their lives and I treat it as such.”
In his current role at JAMS, Judge Newman serves as an arbitrator, mediator and special master, handling construction, business/commercial, personal injury and torts, class action/mass torts, insurance, wrongful death, shareholder actions/business divorce and health care cases.
More information about the South Carolina Bar can be found here.
About JAMS – Local Solutions. Global Reach.
Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide. With a roster of over 450 neutrals and 29 locations, JAMS successfully resolves and manages tens of thousands of 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.
Building on this foundation, JAMS Pathways focuses on early conflict resolution, facilitation and training. Learn more about JAMS Pathways at jamspathways.com.
More information about JAMS 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/.