LOS ANGELES – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce it is launching a pro bono mediation program with Inner City Law Center (ICLC). ICLC is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services to underserved residents of Los Angeles and promotes access to decent, safe and fully habitable housing for the enormous number of homeless and working-poor families and individuals residing in Los Angeles County.

JAMS is providing ICLC access to a highly qualified panel of mediators that will be available for pro bono mediations, as well as an experienced and dedicated JAMS case manager. Joan B. Kessler, Esq., Ph.D., is a neutral with JAMS and a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) Foundation Board, serving as a liaison to ICLC. Dr. Kessler took a leading role in organizing the program, recognizing an opportunity to involve the talented mediators at JAMS to help parties arrive at the best possible outcome to their dispute.

“I am proud to serve on the WLALA Foundation Board and to be part of this program with ICLC and JAMS, which will enable parties amid housing disputes to find a much-needed resolution and move on with their lives,” said Dr. Kessler. “There has been overwhelming interest from my colleagues at JAMS to volunteer their time and services.”

The WLALA Foundation was developed to facilitate the pro bono activities of WLALA, and it supports ICLC to provide additional pro bono services to homeless veterans, including women veterans in Los Angeles. Since its inception in 1980, ICLC has been guided by the fundamental principle that every person should always be treated with dignity and respect. As the only full-time provider of legal services headquartered on Skid Row, ICLC’s staff of 70, including 35 attorneys, and more than 360 volunteers provide quality legal representation for people who have nowhere else to turn.

“We are pleased to partner with JAMS to provide much-needed pro bono mediation services to address the significant challenges that residents of L.A. County face, and ensure that everyone can access safe, affordable and healthy housing.” said Vidhya Ragunathan, pro bono coordinator at ICLC. “We are committed to serving our community with dignity and respect.”

About JAMS – Local Solutions. Global Reach.

Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide. With 27 locations, JAMS and its nearly 400 panelists are responsible for resolving thousands of the world’s important cases every year.

JAMS successfully resolves and manages business and legal disputes by providing efficient, cost-effective, and impartial ways to overcome barriers at any stage of conflict. JAMS offers customized dispute resolution services locally and globally through a combination of industry-specific experience, first-class client service, top-notch facilities, and highly trained panelists.

More information is available at www.jamsadr.com, and you can connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.