The Program
The JAMS Fellowship Program is a 12 month program designed to offer the full breadth of the JAMS resources for emerging alternative dispute resolution (ADR) professionals who have demonstrated resilience and excellence on their path toward a career in ADR. The Fellowship Program will provide training, mentorship, sponsorship, and networking opportunities to up and coming ADR professionals. The goal is to increase pipeline opportunities in dispute resolution.
Benefits of the JAMS Fellowship Program
- Mentorship and sponsorship with JAMS panelists
- Access to shadowing opportunities with JAMS neutrals
- Practice development and marketing guidance
- Opportunity to collaborate with JAMS neutrals on thought leadership content
- Monthly Invitations to our in-house mediation and arbitration training curriculumOpportunities to attend ADR events and introductions to key stakeholders
Who Should Apply?
To qualify as a candidate for the fellowship program, JAMS is looking for individuals that possess a diverse perspective as a result of their adaptability, cultural fluency, resilience, and life experiences. We also are seeking candidates with one of the following:
- Litigator with at least 10 years of experience
- Academic with an ADR backgroundOther professional with industry-specific experience
What Fellows Can Expect
The program structure is flexible and will be built around your availability and needs. At the start of the program, the fellows will complete a training and onboarding class. Throughout the program, fellows will be provided mentorships and sponsorships and shadowing opportunities.
Important Notice: During your 12-month participation within the JAMS Fellowship, should you, your company, or your firm participate in a pending JAMS arbitration or court reference matter, please immediately notify Joanne Saint Louis to ensure all proper steps are taken to maintain JAMS neutrality and meet any disclosure obligation.
How to Apply
Additional documents required are:
- A cover letter detailing your interest, experience and achievements in the ADR field.
- A current resume/CV.
- Two recommendation letters from persons knowledgeable about your interest and experience (if any) in dispute resolution.
- A personal statement (no more than two pages). The personal statement should be a narrative describing your motivation for pursuing a career in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and highlighting key experiences that have shaped your journey, including academic achievements, community impact, professional experiences, and any challenges you have overcome, as well as any contributions you hope to make within ADR.
There will be a three-step review process. The applications will be reviewed by a committee made up of neutrals and associates. There is also an interview conducted with selected finalists.
Important Notice: To maintain JAMS neutrality, we cannot accept applicants where you, your company, or your law firm has a pending arbitration or court reference matter with JAMS.
***Thank you for your interest in the JAMS Fellowship Program. Applications for the Class of 2024-2025 are now closed***
Content From Current and Former JAMS Fellows
From 1925 to Today: How the FAA Transformed Dispute Resolution
In 1925, Congress enacted the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) requiring courts to enforce agreements to arbitrate as valid contract provisions. Business communities and trade associations campaigned vigorously in support of its passage.
LEARN MORENavigating the Grey Areas of Neutrality in Reverse Auctions
Given the number of class actions and other representative matters filed across the country, a phenomenon known as the reverse auction has increasingly evolved over the past decade, which affects both the process by which these types of cases are resolved and the resulting settlement terms.
LEARN MOREThe Power of Authenticity
Reflections during Pride Month from a JAMS neutral and JAMS diversity fellow.
LEARN MOREKnowing What’s Ahead: Dispute Resolution Planning for Startups in the New Age of Generative AI
Perspectives from JAMS neutral Hon. Jackson Lucky (Ret.) and JAMS Diversity Fellow Erica Bristol.
LEARN MORENeurodiversity in the Workplace
JAMS Neutral Robin Gise, Esq., and JAMS Diversity Fellow Maurice Q. Robinson Esq., PHR detail 10 ways that mediation can support a neuroinclusive DE&I strategy.
LEARN MOREFrequently Asked Questions
12 months.
There is no monetary compensation for participating in program. The value is in the experiences and access that the program provides.
A new class of Fellows will be chosen every two years.
The JAMS Fellowship Program will provide Fellows with ongoing training, shadowing opportunities, limited funding to attend conferences and marketing support, such as opportunities to speak on panels and write articles.
The JAMS Fellowship Program is designed to attract legal practitioners with at least some experience in ADR (mediation or arbitration). JAMS is looking for individuals that possess a diverse perspective as a result of their adaptability, cultural fluency, resilience, and life experiences. Applicants should be ADR practitioners motivated to start or build their practice. Preference will be given to litigators with at least 10 years of experience, academics with an ADR background and other professionals with industry-specific experience.