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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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Locations

Available to hear cases nationwide.
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Insurance
Judge Westerfield has been a full-time ADR neutral with JAMS since 1993. Judge Westerfield has successfully mediated and arbitrated over 2,000 cases; many of which revolved around complex insurance issues. She has a very high settlement rate and is particularly adept at settling cases with both complex legal issues and high emotional content.

Representative Matters

  • Attorneys Fees
    • Billing disputes involving Cumis counsel fees
    • Issues as to amount and allocation of defense costs among multiple insurers
  • Bad Faith
    • Claims for failure to settle
    • Doctors groups claiming insurer failed to provide coverage
    • Numerous claims involving failure to provide indemnity coverage under particular policy language
  • Coverage
    • Claims regarding meaning of "disability"
    • Environmental litigation: application of pollution exclusion and triggers to multiple policies
    • Served as Special Master in determining meaning of "action in controversy"
  • Indemnity and Contribution
    • Allocation among multiple insurers, e.g., mold claims, environmental claims, product liability, landlord-tenant
    • Claims regarding construction defects
    • Dealing with special statutory issues involving California Insurance Guarantee Agency (CIGA)
    • Disputes regarding application policy periods
  • Subrogation
    • Multi-million dollar claim involving multiple carriers against third party as a result of fire loss incurred by two condominium associations
    • Numerous claims arising out of fire, theft, vandalism, construction defect

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