JAMS is proud to announce that George D. Calkins II, Esq. received the prestigious 2011 West Coast Casualty Jerrold S. Oliver Award of Excellence. The award was presented during the 18th Annual West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar on May 12.

Named after the late Judge Jerrold S. Oliver, a JAMS mediator and arbitrator and a “founding father” in using ADR to resolve construction claims, this award recognizes an individual who is outstanding or has contributed to the betterment of the construction community with the same spirit of commitment, loyalty and trust as displayed by Judge Oliver. The award is affectionately known as the “Ollie Award.” The organization put out a call for nominees and votes from 12,000 members of the construction community.

“We are so proud that George has won the ‘Ollie Award,’” said Chris Poole, JAMS president and CEO. “As one of our most respected and highly regarded neutrals in the field of construction, he is certainly deserving of this award and we congratulate him.”

“Winning the Ollie Award is a wonderful honor and I am humbled to receive this,” said Mr. Calkins. “Knowing that I was nominated alongside my colleagues and peers, who are the best in the industry, makes this even more special.”

Mr. Calkins is a nationally recognized mediator and arbitrator with more than 38 years of legal experience. He has mediated and arbitrated numerous complex construction defect and workmanship disputes involving major public works, commercial, industrial and multi- and single-family residential projects, focuses on all aspects of such projects, including electrical, plumbing, framing, roofing, concrete, site drainage and geotechnical issues.

JAMS neutrals Bruce A. Edwards, Esq., Ross W. Feinberg, Esq. and Gerald A. Kurland, Esq. have also received the “Ollie Award.”

About JAMS, The Resolution Experts
Founded in 1979, JAMS, The Resolution Experts is the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide. With Resolution Centers nationwide and abroad, JAMS and its more than 260 exclusive neutrals are responsible for resolving thousands of the world’s important cases. JAMS may be reached at 800-352-5267 or www.jamsadr.com.