Joanne Saint Louis is the director of diversity outreach at JAMS, the world's largest private alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider. Ms. Saint Louis joined JAMS in August 2019 as the first diversity and inclusion manager for an ADR provider and was recently promoted to director. She is the vice-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Committee. She oversees external diversity initiatives at JAMS. During her short time at JAMS, Ms. Saint Louis has co-created and facilitated employee resource groups within the organization and expanded the D&I Committee to increase JAMS’ diversity, equity and inclusion footprint within the legal industry. She has also created a domestic diversity fellowship to increase the diversity pipeline within ADR.
Ms. Saint Louis is a thought leader within the ADR industry and has published various publications to promote the selection of diverse neutrals. She continues to speak and create webinars to increase pipeline opportunities and enhance the visibility of diverse neutrals within the legal profession.
Ms. Saint Louis comes to JAMS from the American Arbitration Association, where she was the director of ADR services in its Labor, Employment and Elections Division. She was also a member of the AAA’s Diversity Committee and was responsible for putting on several successful ADR and diversity events.
Ms. Saint Louis graduated from Suffolk University in Boston, where she received a B.S. in political science, with a minor in sociology. She also received her J.D. from the Massachusetts School of Law. Prior to working at the AAA, she worked in Social Security Disability law.
Ms. Saint Louis is a founding member of the ADR Inclusion Network and vice-chair of the American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section’s Diversity Committee. She is also a member of various affinity bar associations and organizations. She is also a recipient of the National Bar Association’s top 40 lawyers under 40 award.