Robert I. Westerfield, more commonly known as "Robin," is a 1983 graduate of Hastings College of the Law. After growing up in Indiana, he came to California in 1978 upon graduating from Indiana University in Bloomington. Mr. Westerfield joined Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon in 1983 and was an associate there until 1985 when he joined Richard T. Bowles in founding the firm. He has been a partner in Bowles & Verna since 1989.

Mr. Westerfield's practice consists primarily of representing policyholders in insurance coverage matters. That work includes consulting with corporations and governmental entities in connection with the purchase and renewal of insurance and advising them when claims occur. In cases where informal efforts to resolve such disputes has failed, Mr. Westerfield has successfully litigated the claims, obtaining multi-million dollar settlements and jury verdicts on several occasions. His insurance clients are a diverse group and include major corporations, governmental entities, small businesses and individuals. Mr. Westerfield is actively involved in the Tort and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association and is a vice chair of both the Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee and the Self-Insurers and Risk Managers Committee. He is also a Member of PARMA and the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

Mr. Westerfield's recent litigation experiences include the following:


• Jury verdict of 6.6 million dollars in favor of public entity client against its insurance carrier for failing to provide liability policy benefits in a timely fashion.
  
• Secured $1.5 million policy limits settlement from property insurer for storm damage to commercial marina.
  
• Represented developer / general contractor in construction defects action where monies recovered from subcontractors exceeded amount paid to plaintiff homeowners association.
  
• Represented liability insurers in numerous trials and settlements involving coverage for environmental pollution and construction defects.
  
• Assisted public entity in obtaining multi-million dollar recovery from its insurers in connection with courthouse fires.

Personal Information

Robin was born in Louisville, Kentucky on November 14, 1955. Between trials, he spends time with his wife Nancy and daughter Lauren in their hometown of Benicia, oftentimes while serving as an assistant coach for Lauren's soccer or basketball teams. In addition, he is currently the President of the Board of Directors for Family Life Center, a group home for troubled teenagers located in Petaluma, California.