Overview
Alex Westerfield has represented public agencies, businesses, and individuals as plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of federal and state proceedings. Alex has particular expertise in helping public agencies and businesses navigate complex statutory schemes in areas of intense public scrutiny, such as pension reform implementation, elections and wildfire cleanup, and Alex frequently litigates such matters on expedited or emergency bases.
Alex currently represents several pensions, benefits & investments systems throughout California in litigation and administrative proceedings stemming from their implementation of the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act. These proceedings concern the statutory and/or constitutional entitlement to certain benefit items and the discretion of retirement boards to update previous policies. Alex has likewise handled funding disputes between public retirement systems and their participating employers.
Alex also has represented businesses and entrepreneurs in a number of commercial disputes, and has successfully obtained dismissal of a putative eight-figure RICO class action against a federal subcontractor stemming from cleanup work after a wildfire. He has likewise helped entrepreneurs regain control over their small businesses or to secure appropriate compensation upon their exit.
Before joining Nossaman, Alex worked at a boutique firm representing whistleblowers in False Claims Act cases and in proceedings before federal financial regulatory agencies. While there, he also helped to shape whistleblower law and policy through legislative and regulatory advocacy.
Alex clerked for the Honorable Rya Zobel, District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston.