Hon. Mary Colleen Roberts (Ret.) brings more than three decades of public service to her work as a neutral at JAMS in Chicago. She served for 18 years on the Cook County bench, where she presided over a wide spectrum of matters—from complex commercial and professional liability disputes to family law, tax, and personal injury cases. Her career also includes 17 years as an attorney with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the City of Chicago, giving her deep insight into litigation from both sides of the bench.

Known for her thoughtful, compassionate approach, Judge Roberts is deeply committed to helping parties feel heard and ensuring equitable, well-managed processes. Her passion for dispute resolution is rooted in decades of training and hands-on experience: she holds mediation and negotiation certifications from the Center for Conflict Resolution, the Chicago Bar Association, and Northwestern University School for Professional Studies.

A longtime leader in the legal community, Judge Roberts is the immediate Past President of the Illinois Judges Association and a founding member, officer and past President of the Alliance of Illinois Judges. She frequently lectures on judicial conduct, decision-making, cultural competency and mediation advocacy, and has been honored by numerous organizations for her advocacy, leadership, and service to the profession.

Beyond the courtroom, she’s a dedicated community volunteer, founder of the Ravenswood Run 5K, a six time Boston Marathon qualifier and runner, and a certified kayak instructor—testament to her belief in finding balance, connection, and purpose both in and outside the legal sphere.