Meet West

West works with nonprofits and community enterprises of all kinds, with a focus on cooperatives. He entered the legal field to support the growing solidarity economy through work with democratic workplaces, land stewardship projects, and shared-equity housing.

West is from southern California and received his B.A. in Philosophy and Environmental Science from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. He will receive his JD from the University of Wisconsin in May of 2023.

Experience:

  • Assisting cooperatives, small businesses, and nonprofits with entity selection, incorporation, business structuring, financing, contract drafting, employment and tax issues, and real-estate transactions through the University of Wisconsin Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic
  • Judicial Intern for Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson at the Western District of Wisconsin

Talks:

  • “Co-op Legal 101,” Gener8tor’s gBETA Accelerator
  • “Cooperative Solutions for Rural Broadband,” Municipality of Liberty Grove, WI

Publications:

  • “501(c)(3) Status for Housing Cooperatives,” published by the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives

Community Involvement:

  • Volunteer, Madison Unemployment Appeals Clinic
  • Board Member, Cooperative Professionals Guild