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www.canadianlawyermag.com 41 practice to litigation counsel at the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) wasn't about escaping billable hours or chasing a promotion. It was about returning to a place where his values – courage, integrity, and a deep sense of family – weren't just slogans. They were embodied in the work, in the people, and in the purpose. "For me… values are actually informing everything you do," Westman says. "When you are doing things that are inconsistent with those values or aren't somehow intrinsically rewarding, it just becomes more difficult to do." Westman's journey back to EPS – where he once served as an officer – was personal as much as it was professional. After a stint at Bennett Jones LLP in Calgary, he posted on LinkedIn that he was "thrilled to be moving back to Edmonton with my husband and rejoining the Edmonton Police Service as litigation counsel." The decision wasn't made lightly. "For many reasons too personal to share," he wrote, "I've realized that my heart is still in policing." In his role at EPS, Westman focuses on litigation that carries reputational risk, especially where public perception is shaped by short clips and soundbites. "The goal… is to tell a story," he says. "For people to have confidence in the police… they have to understand what police are doing." And it's his job to help ensure that understanding comes with context and nuance. Roughly 75 percent of his work involves preparing for or appearing in court and tribunals. His cases span the civil and administrative spectrum – no criminal matters, he clarifies. Occasionally, Westman encounters an officer who is distrustful of the media or legal process. A critical advantage of working in-house, he says, is the relationship he's able to build with these officers. "You're able to approach them more as a colleague… and help them tell their own story." JEFFREY WESTMAN Company: Edmonton Police Service Title: Legal counsel HELPING OFFICERS NAVIGATE SCRUTINY AND ENSURE POSITIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Jeffrey Westman's transition from private For Legal Services — The Right Fit Matters We give you what you need, not what you don't. With our flexibility and the right expertise across a wide variety of business law areas, we provide a customized legal solution for you and your business – all without compromising excellence in service or advice. For legal representation that's the right fit for you, try our Right-sized Thinking™. 1.800.323.3781 • pallettvalo.com