JAMS, the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide, today announced the addition of Hon. Frederic N. Smalkin (Ret.) to its panel. Judge Smalkin will be based in the JAMS Greenbelt Resolution Center. He will serve as an arbitrator, mediator and special master for disputes in a variety of areas including Admiralty, Antitrust, Aviation, Banking, Business/Commercial, Construction, Employment, Environmental, Healthcare, Insurance, Intellectual Property, Personal Injury/Torts, Products Liability, and Professional Liability.

Judge Smalkin was a Federal Judge in the District of Maryland, first as a Magistrate and then as a District Judge, during a judicial career that started in 1976. After leaving the military, Judge Smalkin entered private practice before being appointed as a Magistrate. He was a pioneer in the role of Magistrates in civil litigation, especially as settlement mediators. In that role, he successfully settled hundreds of cases and taught mediation skills to other judges.  He later became a District Judge, appointed by President Reagan, and was Chief Judge of the District of Maryland for two years.  He tried many civil and criminal jury and non-jury cases, while teaching law school continuously since 1979.

“Judge Smalkin is known for being extremely thorough, well-prepared and a straight shooter,” said Chris Poole, JAMS president and CEO. “His background in ADR and settlement makes him an excellent addition to our Greenbelt panel.”

“I spent a large part of my time on the bench helping lawyers and their clients settle cases, including many they thought would never settle and I look forward to incorporating the skills I acquired into my practice at JAMS,” said Judge Smalkin. “I’m excited to join JAMS and work alongside the best in the field.”

Judge Smalkin received his B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, from Johns Hopkins University and graduated with his J.D, with honors and first in his class from University of Maryland School of Law. He also holds both a Post Graduate Certificate and a Post Graduate Diploma in Laws (with a specialization in Maritime Law) from the University of London. He has also been invited to teach for many institutions, bar associations and professional organizations and has been recognized with a number of awards for excellence in teaching.