Seattle – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. Julie E. Frantz (Ret.) has joined its panel. She brings decades of experience across judicial service, civil litigation and ADR work.

Judge Frantz served for 23 years as a trial judge on the Multnomah County Circuit Court, where she presided over a wide range of civil and criminal matters, and conducted hundreds of settlement conferences. During her tenure, she was appointed chief criminal judge and held numerous leadership roles, including president of the Oregon Circuit Court Judges Association. She also led the creation of Multnomah County’s Mental Health Court.

Before her judicial appointment, Judge Frantz practiced for more than a decade as a civil litigator and became the first woman partner at her firm. Since her retirement from the bench, she has served as an ADR professional handling a wide variety of matters. 

Based in the Seattle Resolution Center, Judge Frantz will serve as a mediator, arbitrator and court-appointed neutral (special master/referee), handling business and commercial, employment, professional liability, personal injury and tort, construction defect and real estate matters. She is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally.

“Judge Frantz is a true trailblazer whose career reflects both leadership on the bench and a deep commitment to the legal community. From breaking barriers in private practice to shaping courts and mentoring generations of lawyers and judges, she brings a perspective grounded in service, integrity and practical problem‑solving.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

Judge Frantz has held many leadership and mentorship roles, including on the Board of Governors of the Oregon State Bar. In 1992, she was elected the first woman president of the Oregon State Bar, and in 2014, elected president of the National Association of Women Judges. She is the recipient of numerous prestigious legal awards, and has also served as an adjunct professor and instructor.

“With more than four decades of combined experience as an ADR practitioner, judge and civil litigator, I bring to JAMS a dedication to resolving complex disputes through detailed preparation, probing listening skills and a clarity of analysis that facilitates closure,” Judge Frantz said.

Judge Frantz earned her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School and her B.A. from Stanford University.

About JAMS – The Way Forward

JAMS is the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, handling more than 21,000 cases annually. With over 500 neutrals and 29 locations, JAMS delivers efficient, cost-effective and impartial solutions for business and legal disputes at any stage of conflict. Since its founding in 1979, its distinguished panel has included retired federal and state court judges, former litigators, transactional attorneys and other ADR professionals with deep industry and practice area experience. JAMS offers customized in-person, virtual and hybrid resolution services to provide a seamless experience through concierge-level client care, highly skilled case managers and advanced technology.

Building on this foundation, JAMS Pathways provides organizations with early conflict resolution, facilitation and training, helping teams prevent disputes before they escalate.

With a legacy of trust and innovation, JAMS helps parties find the way forward so they can focus on what matters most. Learn more at www.jamsadr.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and the JAMS ADR blog.