Everything seems bigger in Texas. That is probably why the government named its statewide economic development plan for 2025 to 2029 “Bigger. Better. Texas.” Not surprisingly, the city of Austin has fully embraced this mission, having soared to the No. 1 spot for economic growth among the biggest U.S. cities in 2025, after previously ranking No. 5 in 2024.
Anecdotally, one need only look at a photo of the Austin skyline in 2020 and then compare it to the same view in 2026 to see the difference. In my view, it is almost as if it is a completely different city. The growth is remarkable. In fact, according to a recent report, Austin is leading other U.S. cities in gross domestic product (GDP), with a 51% surge fueled by strong job creation in technology, manufacturing, and professional services. Last year, it was reported that Austin experienced a 71% jump in new business applications, ranking fifth nationally.
As the city has grown rapidly, this thriving business hub has seen increased complexity in legal disputes tied to technology, construction, energy, healthcare, and employment matters, just to name a few. With this increase, the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services has also steadily risen. Fortunately, Austin has long enjoyed a sophisticated ADR marketplace, serving this expanding business community for approximately three decades.
When Business Booms, Disputes Are Sure to Follow
Austin’s business growth is primarily fueled by a perfect storm of a booming high-tech sector, a highly educated and young workforce, a business-friendly environment (no state income tax), and a high quality of life that attracts both talent and major corporations. Often referred to as “Silicon Hills,” the city has seen a massive influx of tech giants, a surging startup ecosystem, and significant investments in industries such as semiconductors, EV manufacturing, and aerospace.
To meet this burgeoning business demand, the Austin region is experiencing tremendous population growth. Studies project that over the next 35 years, the population will climb by more than 2 million, reaching 4.64 million by 2060. This is a growth rate of more than 75%. Of course, with such growth inevitably comes a rise in employment- and health care-related disputes.
ADR has proven to be a cost-effective and efficient way for businesses to manage a wide range of disputes. Some have described Travis County, which encompasses Austin, as a mandatory mediation county. This is because the civil district courts’ local rules have created an automatic pre-trial mediation referral for certain categories of cases (notably, cases set for trial on the merits on the jury docket or on the non-jury long docket). In Austin, many trial-set cases are automatically referred to pre-trial mediation under local rules, but there are exemptions and objection procedures.
Texas authorizes courts to use court-referred ADR under Chapter 154 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (Texas ADR Act). And Travis County’s local rules state that Chapter 13, which is titled “Referral of Cases to Mediation or Other Alternative Dispute Resolution,” operates “as authorized by statute.”
Also adding to the ADR trend are cases coming from the new Third Business Court Division in Austin, which specializes in complex commercial disputes, corporate governance cases, and major business transactions.
This ADR-friendly legal environment has created a growing industry. Sophisticated ADR services are proving to be a powerful tool for an increasing number of organizations doing business in and around Austin.
The Growing Trend Toward In-Person Conferences
Before the pandemic, ADR was largely conducted face-to-face. But all that changed when social distancing became the norm. It was during this period that ADR shifted to virtual proceedings. As restrictions were gradually lifted, we transitioned to a hybrid model, in which some participants appeared in person, and others participated remotely.
In our JAMS Resolution Center in Dallas, approximately 90% of cases are conducted in person. In Houston, the percentage is closer to 50%. As always, Austin is blazing its own path. But the importance of having brick-and-mortar facilities in the area is not lost on leading ADR providers such as JAMS.
A Culture of ADR Excellence
As the business community throughout Austin already knows, there is a long-standing culture of ADR excellence in the region. Organizations such as JAMS have highly respected, deeply knowledgeable neutrals in Austin who are available, along with an extensive roster of exceptional panelists from across the country and around the world who can be tapped for mediation and arbitration. JAMS’ panel continues to expand to meet the growing need.
Neutrals who understand the Austin business landscape and the wide variety of disputes companies face are essential to the region’s robust ADR culture. JAMS neutrals are adept at handling the kinds of disputes most relevant to the area, including those involving business/commercial, employment, insurance, and personal injury.
Adding to a Distinguished Local Pool of Talent
Among the distinguished legal professionals in the Austin marketplace, JAMS neutrals stand out. Included in the local panel is Tracy McCormack, who is a mediator, arbitrator and neutral evaluator. Before this work, she was director of advocacy at The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, teaching civil procedure, evidence, trial advocacy and dispute resolution advocacy, where she still teaches as a senior lecturer. Her practice experience includes insurance/reinsurance, ERISA, complex litigation and appellate law, as well as commercial, personal injury, fiduciary and energy litigation.
Karl Bayer is a mediator, arbitrator, and court-appointed neutral, bringing more than 25 years of trial experience and over 20 years of ADR experience to JAMS’ Austin panel. He has served in more than 3,000 mediations, 200 arbitrations and 75 court-appointed neutral appointments. He is a sought-after mediator and arbitrator in technology, energy, employment, intellectual property and construction disputes.
William M. “Bill” Parrish is a mediator and arbitrator, bringing more than 45 years of experience in intellectual property and complex commercial matters. He has significant experience across the intellectual property landscape, having handled disputes involving trade secrets, trademarks, trade names, trade dress, copyrights, and patents. In his practice, he has encompassed a wide range of business torts, including unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, tortious interference, covenants not to compete, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair advertising practices. In addition, he has handled contracts (including software contracts and other business agreements), partnership and other complex commercial disputes. He has also assisted companies and individuals facing inquiries and enforcement efforts by state attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission.
Gary Fowler is a nationally recognized mediator, arbitrator, court-appointed neutral, neutral evaluator and hearing officer with more than 35 years of experience resolving complex labor and employment, health care and commercial disputes. He has been board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1994, and has mediated and arbitrated significant matters involving trade secrets, executive compensation, restrictive covenants, wage and hour disputes, ERISA, reductions in force, disability, and employment and retaliation discrimination claims.
Having recently joined the JAMS Austin panel, Jay Ellwanger is a mediator and arbitrator with 25 years of experience in employment, intellectual property, and commercial matters. He was a founding partner of Ellwanger Henderson, one of the largest and most well-respected firms in Texas dedicated to the eradication of employment discrimination and the defense of civil rights. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas School of Law for more than two decades, teaching classes and coaching interscholastic competition teams in the areas of trial advocacy, ADR, civil procedure, and negotiation.
Austin Strong: Supporting the Growing ADR Marketplace
As Austin’s business community continues its meteoric growth, ADR providers are expanding local services to help resolve disputes in this robust marketplace. JAMS has long been committed to the region, offering Austin-based neutrals with extensive experience in disputes across technology, construction, energy, aerospace, EV manufacturing, health care, employment, and more. These seasoned professionals understand the nuances and complexities of the legal landscape in the county.
ADR services continue to offer a cost-effective, efficient, and confidential route to preserving value and managing time, allowing parties and their counsel to remain in control of their dispute. As businesses pursue the goal of “Bigger. Better. Texas,” dedicated ADR providers will meet their needs with reliable, highly effective mediation and arbitration services.
Jonathan Moss is vice president of operations at JAMS. He oversees operations across the organization’s Central Region, including business development, panel recruitment and strategic initiatives. He can be reached at Jmoss@jamsadr.com.
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