JAMS is pleased to welcome Hon. Mary Anne Mason (Ret.) to its panel. Judge Mason has had a career spanning more than 40 years, including nearly 19 years on the bench in Cook County (Illinois). From July 2013 to her retirement, the Illinois Supreme Court assigned Judge Mason to serve on the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, where she twice served as presiding judge. She also served on the First District Settlement Committee and mediated cases on appeal by agreement of the litigants.
Based in the Chicago Resolution Center, Judge Mason will serve as a mediator, arbitrator, special master and neutral evaluator in a variety of practice areas, including appellate, business/commercial, class action/mass tort, employment, insurance, professional liability, real property and securities.
“Judge Mason has substantial litigation, judicial and settlement experience, and is known for her ability to handle complicated matters with a focused and efficient approach,” said Chris Poole, JAMS president and CEO. “I am confident that she will make an excellent addition to our panel in Chicago.”
Judge Mason’s 13-year tenure on the circuit court included nine years in the Chancery Division, where she handled thousands of matters. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Mason spent 21 years in public and private practice. In private practice and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, she argued numerous appeals in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Illinois Appellate Court and the Illinois Supreme Court, and she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers.
“I am committed to alternative dispute resolution and feel that this is the perfect step for me at this point in my career,” Judge Mason said. “I have seen firsthand how litigation can take a toll on individuals, and I’m looking forward to helping parties resolve disputes as a neutral at JAMS.”
Judge Mason received her B.A., magna cum laude, in English and philosophy from Boston College and earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.