Detroit – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce Sean F. Cox, Retired Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, has joined its panel. Judge Cox joins JAMS following 30 years of distinguished judicial service to Michigan courts.
Judge Cox served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan from 2006 to 2025, serving as chief judge between 2022 and 2025. He previously served as a judge on the Third Judicial Court of Michigan from 1996 to 2006. While on the bench, he successfully resolved some of Michigan’s most protracted disputes. He is known for his resolution of a 1977 matter involving the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Later, he leveraged these insights for a mediated settlement that created the Great Lakes Water Authority. As part of the mediation team that resolved Detroit’s municipal bankruptcy, he facilitated a historic public utility deal resolving longstanding issues amongst the counties of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne, and the City of Detroit.
Based in the Detroit Resolution Center, Judge Cox will be available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally. He will serve as a mediator, arbitrator, court-appointed neutral and neutral evaluator, handling business and commercial, civil rights, construction, education, employment, governmental, insurance and personal injury matters.
“Judge Cox is well known in the Michigan legal community and beyond for his thoughtfulness and diligent approach. His deep experience handling challenging disputes as a jurist and mediator will be an asset to the parties he serves. We are proud to welcome Judge Cox to the JAMS panel.”
Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president
Prior to taking the bench, Judge Cox was a partner at Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho from 1990 to 1996, where he was a trial lawyer focusing on municipal and personal injury litigation, including medical malpractice. His broad perspective on the law is also informed by his diverse early experiences. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he was a construction worker and worked on the assembly line at Ford Motor Company. As a mediator, Judge Cox excels at helping parties find common avenues of dialogue, even in the most complex cases.
“I look forward to bringing to JAMS the same insightful, deliberative and experienced approach that enabled me to resolve some of the federal court’s most protracted and historic disputes,” said Judge Cox.
Judge Cox earned his B.G.S. from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Detroit College of Law.
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 nearly 500 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.
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