Former Federal Chief Justice Hon. William F. Downes (Ret.) Joins JAMS

September 6, 2011

San Francisco – JAMS, the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide, today announced the addition of Hon. William F. Downes (Ret.) to its panel. Judge Downes will be a part of both the JAMS San Francisco and Denver panels. He will serve as an arbitrator, mediator and special master for disputes in a variety of areas including Business/Commercial, Employment, Energy/Utility, Insurance, Personal Injury, Professional Liability and Real Property.

Judge Downes spent 17 years as a federal judge in the U.S. District Court of Wyoming, 12 of which he spent as the Chief Judge. Prior to becoming a judge, he was an accomplished trial lawyer in Wyoming, handling cases ranging from tort and real estate matters to medical malpractice and personal injury disputes. Judge Downes’ experience as both a judge and a trial lawyer provides him with insight into the legal process, enabling him to evaluate resolution options and efficiently guide parties to settlement.  

“Judge Downes is known for being extremely prepared and quickly understanding complex issues,” said Chris Poole, JAMS president and CEO. “He has an innate ability to understand the emotions and ongoing dynamics while ultimately resolving the case. We know he will make a great addition to our panel.” 

“During my time on the bench and as a trial lawyer, I learned the value of utilizing ADR to resolve disputes,” said Judge Downes. “I’m excited to work alongside the best neutrals and an amazing case management team.”

Judge Downes received his B.A. from the University of North Texas and earned his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center.

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 270 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.