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Hon. Rebecca Westerfield (Ret.)

T: 415-982-5267
F:415-982-5287
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Recognized as a Top California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009

Recognized as a Best Lawyer, Alternative Dispute Resolution Category, Best Lawyers in America, 2008-2010

Recognized as One of the Top Three Best Neutrals in the Bay Area, The Recorder, 2007

Recognized as One of the 500 Leading Judges in America, by Lawdragon Magazine, 2006

Distinguished Mediator of the Year, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, 2003

Case Manager

Melissa Ornstil
JAMS
Two Embarcadero Center
Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-774-2600 Phone
415-982-5287 Fax
Email:

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Available to hear cases nationwide.
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Securities
Hon. Rebecca Westerfield (Ret.) has been a full-time JAMS panelist since 1993. She is widely perceived as an excellent mediator and has an extremely high settlement rate. Judge Westerfield is known for her ability to grasp legal and factual issues quickly, as well as reading the personalities involved. She has arbitrated numerous cases involving charges of unsuitable investments and securities fraud involving brokerage firms and hedge funds. Additionally, she has successfully mediated complex cases with multiple claimants involving allegations of financial abuse and high emotional content.

Judge Westerfield is available to mediate or arbitrate securities disputes on a nationwide basis.

Representative Matters

  • Backdated stock options disputes
  • Breach of fiduciary duties
  • Brokerage firm's failure to supervise
  • Defamation
  • Employment disputes in the securities industry including:
      • Discrimination (sex, race, and age)
      • Sexual harassment
      • Wrongful termination/breach of contract
  • Legal malpractice involving under securitization
  • Matters involving brokerage firms, hedge funds, and financial advisors
  • Misrepresentation/fraud claims pursuant to 10 (b)(5)
  • Suitability of investments
  • Unauthorized transactions and trading
  • Unauthorized use of customer lists
  • Violation of trade secrets

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

  • Active member, State Bar of California
  • Top California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009;
  • Best Lawyer, Alternative Dispute Resolution Category, Best Lawyers in America and California Super Lawyer, 2008-2010
  • Best Lawyer in the Bay Area, San Francisco Business Times, 2009
  • One of the Top Three Best Neutrals in the Bay Area, The Recorder, 2007  
  • One of the 500 Leading Judges in America, by Lawdragon Magazine, 2006
  • Distinguished Mediator of the Year, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, 2003
  • One of the Top 10 Mediators in the Bay Area, The Recorder, 2002
  • One of California's Most Effective Mediators, Daily Journal, 2002
  • President and Co-Founder of RockRose Institute
  • Member, National Association of Women Judges, International Academy of Trial Judges
  • Adjunct Professor, International Summer School on Business Mediation, Admont, Austria
  • Chair of the Bar Association of San Francisco’s International Human Right Committee
  • Participant, International Human Rights Summer School, Oxford University-New College 2004
  • Advisory Board for Facing History and Ourselves
  • Member, American Bar Association House of Delegates
  • Board of Directors, Bar Association of San Francisco, 1994-1997
  • Chair, American Bar Association Section on Individual Rights and Responsibilities, 1994-1995
  • ABA Commission on Women in the Profession
  • Co-authored the ADR chapter of CEB's Wrongful Termination Practice 2ed. (1997) and 3ed. (2004)

Background and Education

  • Serves on ADR panel for the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California
  • Appointed Judge, Circuit Court of Jefferson Co., Kentucky (court of general jurisdiction), 1987-1992
  • Admitted to Bar of United States Supreme Court, 6th and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeals
  • MLA, Stanford University, 2008
  • J.D., University of Kentucky, 1975 (Law Journal, National Moot Court Team)
  • B.A., University of Kentucky with distinction, 1972