Civility in ADR: Strengthening Advocacy Through Professionalism

Gina Miller is the Senior Vice President with JAMS and a leader within the ADR industry with deep experience in mediation and arbitration practices. She has contributed greatly to the practice of ADR in the United States by developing numerous programs to train neutrals in marketing, business development and mediation skills. As Senior Vice President, Miller oversees operations for JAMS in California, Washington, Nevada, Oregon and Arizona, where she is responsible for creating new business opportunities and overseeing regional and national initiatives. She collaborates with other JAMS executives on strategic business initiatives, chairs the regional advisory committee, co-chairs the national operations committee, and serves on the company’s DE&I committee board. Before her current role, she served as vice president and director of operations for the Southwest Region and general manager of JAMS’ Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Ventura and Inland Empire Resolution Centers.

Miller has developed and delivered hundreds of ADR presentations to law firms, bar associations and insurance carriers, and is frequently quoted in publications such as the Daily Journal, Corporate Counsel Business Journal and Law360.com. She has held leadership roles with the California State Bar’s Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution and the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, and remains active with organizations like the Western Justice Center. In 2024, Savoy magazine named her to its Most Influential Executives in Corporate America list in recognition of her leadership and impact. Miller holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and a B.A. from California State University, Long Beach, and completed an executive management program at the Wharton School of Business.

Hon. Stuart Rice (Ret.) joined JAMS after more than two decades on the Los Angeles County Superior Court, where he presided over complex commercial litigation, employment matters, class actions, insurance coverage disputes, and probate cases, earning a reputation as a thoughtful and decisive jurist. He serves on the statewide task force on civility in the legal profession, work that speaks directly to today’s discussion. He was elected president of the California Judges Association and served on the Judicial Council of California, and he is now in his fourth year as president of the California Judges Foundation. He was twice named Judge of the Year, by the South Bay Bar Association and the Long Beach Bar Association. Throughout his career he has been a dedicated mentor to young lawyers and law students, a commitment to leadership and integrity recognized in the Daily Journal.

Hon. Nancy Wieben Stock (Ret.) joined JAMS after 24 years on the Orange County Superior Court bench, most recently serving on the Complex Civil Panel. During her time on the court she also served as Presiding Judge, Supervising Judge of Family Law, and Presiding Judge of the Superior Court Appellate Division. Before taking the bench, she worked as a federal prosecutor and in a business litigation firm. She is well regarded among counsel for handling complex matters that involve multiple parties and require coordination across jurisdictions, and for partnering with parties to craft fair and creative solutions to complicated disputes. She is also known for taking control of case management, keeping all sides organized and moving efficiently toward resolution.

Edith R. Matthai has over 45 years of experience representing clients in complex and high-profile matters. She has long been a leader within the legal community and recognized as a skilled trial lawyer, earning accolades from many leading legal institutions. She has represented clients in countless mediations and settled well over 1,000 cases. Edith has been retained in a wide variety of cases that are complex and unique. She has represented hundreds of lawyers and law firms, from solo practitioners to AmLaw 100 firms, in professional liability actions. She has evaluated and litigated a wide range of matters, including complex business transactions, Ponzi schemes, fraud claims, fee disputes, partnership dissolutions, tax structures, family disputes with high-value marital or probate estates, complex real estate transactions, entertainment industry disputes, patent disputes, bankruptcy adversary proceedings, predatory lending, escrow and mortgage fraud, debt relief programs and insurance disputes. Throughout her career, Ms. Matthai has handled numerous appeals covering a broad range of issues.