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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:

Specialties

Locations

Available to hear cases nationwide.
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Business/Commercial
A JAMS full-time panelist since 1993, Judge Westerfield has arbitrated and mediated hundreds of business/commercial cases. She is known for her success in settling complex litigation with multiple parties involving diverse business ventures as well as cases with high emotional content, such as reorganization of closely-held businesses and dissolution of professional practices. Judge Westerfield’s business/commercial experience encompasses a broad range of legal issues, including insurance coverage disputes.

Resolution Expertise
  • Attorney fee disputes
  • Banking
  • Breach of fiduciary duties
  • Business defamation
  • Contracts
  • Corporations
  • Dissolution of business partnerships
  • Franchises
  • Insurance coverage and payment disputes
  • International business disputes
  • Joint venture agreements
  • Lending disputes
  • Purchase and sale agreements
  • Refinancing agreements
  • Securities fraud
  • Trade secret agreements
  • Trademark and patent
  • Unfair competition

Representative Matters

  • Allegations of unsuitable investments and securities fraud
  • Complex financing structure for multi-million dollar casino development on tribal lands
  • Contract disputes among various European, Asian, and Middle Eastern businesses
  • Disputes regarding insurance coverage of business losses
  • Disputes regarding valuation and ownership of books of business
  • Dissolution of shopping center partnership
  • Franchise disputes: automobile sales, restaurant business, and furniture retail
  • Fraud in selling of a business
  • Patent dispute
  • Trade secret breach: software industry
  • Unfair competition claims against internet business

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