Nine Distinguished Neutrals Join JAMS

It’s been a very busy fall season for us at JAMS. Not only did we launch our JAMS International panel, hosted and trained Weinstein fellows from around the world, but we also launched nine neutrals in just more than four weeks. The talent on our panel only grows and we’re proud to continue providing the best possible service to our clients and colleagues.

In the west, our five new panelists stretch along the Pacific Coast. In Seattle, Commissioner Eric Watness joined after providing 16 years as a Court Commissioner with the King County Superior Court. Heading south to Sacramento, Justice Rick Sims recently launched after nearly 30 years on the superior and appellate courts in Northern California. Next to join was Judge Bill Downes, who came from the federal bench out of Wyoming where he served as the Chief Judge for 12 years; and in San Francisco, Judge James Larson, who was a Federal Magistrate Judge for 14 years in the Northern District of California joined. And just this week, we launched Judge Coleman Swart, who was a Superior Court Judge in Los Angeles for 25 years.

In the east, we had Shelley Olsen, Esq. joins us in New York who previously served as a senior court mediator, Summary Jury Trial judge and settled thousands of matters involving a wide range of issues. Next was Judge Jan Symchych, based out of Minneapolis, who brought 30 years of legal experience, including five years spent as the Deputy General Counsel for Medtronic, Inc. Then Judge Maria Sypek, who sat on Superior Court of New Jersey for 20 years, was added to the panel in Philadelphia. Rounding out the group, Judge Fred Smalkin launched in Maryland, bringing with him a 35-year legal career that included time as a Federal Judge in the District of Maryland.

Each of these neutrals will make excellent additions to our panel with their varied backgrounds, extensive experience and stellar reputations. We welcome them to our team!