Houston – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Marie R. Yeates, Esq., has joined its panel. With over four decades of legal experience, Ms. Yeates is widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost appellate attorneys.
Ms. Yeates spent 43 years in private practice as an attorney at Vinson & Elkins, where she served as managing partner of the firm’s Houston office from 2008 to 2012 and was also a member of the Firm Management Committee from 2000 to 2006 and again from 2009 to 2014. Additionally, she served as the Appellate Practice Group chair from 1991 to 2023. During her tenure at the firm, she argued 141 appellate cases before federal and state courts nationwide, including dozens before the Texas Supreme Court. Her extensive appellate experience also includes appearances in Louisiana courts, where she has drawn on her command of both civil and common law systems.
Based in the Houston Resolution Center, Ms. Yeates will serve as a mediator, arbitrator, special master/referee, neutral evaluator, hearing officer and judge pro tem, handling appellate, business and commercial, condemnation, construction, energy and utilities, environmental law, maritime and admiralty law, and personal injury matters. She is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally.
“Ms. Yeates brings extensive legal insight and a highly collaborative approach, enabling her to resolve complex disputes effectively. With decades of experience in the Texas court system, she is widely respected for her ability to craft actionable case strategies across multiple practice areas. We are delighted to welcome her to our panel.”
Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president
A former judicial clerk for Hon. Alvin B. Rubin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Ms. Yeates is a founding member and Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and has held board certification in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1987. She also served as president of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society from 2014 to 2015.
“Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of navigating incredibly complex, precedent-setting disputes. My approach to dispute resolution is deeply informed by my decades of courtroom experience, where I have honed the ability to distill dense legal issues and guide parties toward meaningful outcomes. In my new role with JAMS, I look forward to applying these skills to serve the Houston legal community and beyond,” said Ms. Yeates.
Ms. Yeates earned her B.S., summa cum laude, from Louisiana State University and her J.D. from Louisiana State University, Paul M. Herbert Law Center.
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/.