Irvine, Calif – The JAMS Foundation is pleased to present the 17th annual Warren Knight Distinguished Service Award to Justice Center of Atlanta (JCA), along with a $25,000 grant. The award recognizes JCA for its mediation services and training programs that enhance the field of mediation regionally, nationally and internationally. The award will be presented at the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution’s Spring Conference on April 25 in Chicago.
Established in memory of the founder of JAMS, H. Warren Knight, the Warren Knight Distinguished Service Award and grant recognizes annually the work of extraordinary individuals and organizations in advancing collaborative forms of dispute resolution and the peaceful resolution of conflict.
“We are proud to support Justice Center of Atlanta’s commitment to offering tailored mediation services and training programs. JCA has an incredible track record of resolving disputes that span a wide range of matters—and its training programs prepare up-and-coming mediation professionals with the skills and insights needed to succeed. The future of mediation relies on education, access and leading client service, and we think JCA is doing exemplary work.”
David Brandon, managing director of the JAMS Foundation
Since 1978, JCA has served as a leader for the practice and teaching of mediation. JCA’s training provides opportunities for intensive skill development combined with legal theory, focusing on hands-on learning to help practitioners prepare to mediate real cases. The nationally recognized training team has taught the mediation process to thousands of people living in the United States, Western Europe, Korea and Japan.
The organization also offers mediation services for many different types of disputes, including educational issues, civil disputes, juvenile cases and workplace problems, impacting the Atlanta community and beyond. Since its founding, JCA has handled over 95,000 cases that range geographically from all over the metropolitan area to state, national and international sites.
“Our mission is to not only provide a leading mediation service in Georgia, but to help advance the profession through extensive training programs. JAMS’ acknowledgement and support of our work will help tremendously as we strive to meet the evolving needs of the regional legal and business community, and we are passionate about continuing this work for many years to come,” said Melissa Heard, executive director of JCA.
Judge Knight, who founded JAMS in January 1979, was a pioneer in the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and legal communities. He was instrumental in introducing and furthering ADR throughout the United States.
About the JAMS Foundation
The nonprofit JAMS Foundation was established in 2002 by JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide. The mission of the JAMS Foundation is to provide financial assistance for conflict resolution initiatives with national and international impact and to share its dispute resolution expertise for the benefit of the public interest.
The Foundation is funded entirely by contributions from JAMS neutrals, executives and associates, and a substantial annual donation from JAMS. To uphold the company's core value of neutrality, the Foundation accepts no donations outside of JAMS. The Foundation currently comprises 300 principal benefactors and has provided more than $13 million in grant funding since its inception.
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/.