Christopher K. Poole

Chris Poole is the CEO emeritus of JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide.

Poole stepped down from the role of CEO after leading the organization for almost two decades. Poole joined JAMS in 2007 and led the organization through tremendous growth and change that matched the evolving needs of the legal industry, helping to elevate the ADR practice. In his role as CEO emeritus, Poole continues to work closely with the JAMS leadership team on key initiatives.

Prior to joining JAMS, he was chairman and CEO at Elite Information Group and then CEO at Thomson Elite, following the company’s acquisition by The Thomson Corporation. Under Poole’s leadership, Thomson Elite grew to be one of the most successful software suppliers to the legal industry. Before joining Elite, he was director of technology and an executive director at Latham & Watkins LLP, one of the largest law firms in the world.

Poole has served on both public and nonprofit company boards and in advisory roles to legal organizations, including the Institute for Corporate Counsel and the National Association of Women Judges, which honored him with the 2023 Mattie Belle Davis Award for his commitment to making a difference in the legal community and furthering the organization’s mission.

In addition, Poole was the recipient of the 2002 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Poole earned his B.A. in economics from Harvard University and his MBA in computers and marketing from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA.

Poole is based in JAMS’ Irvine headquarters and lives with his family in Southern California.