NATIVE LAW Supreme Court of Alaska (2024) Rosa Gibson In Ito v. Copper River Native Ass’n., 547 P.3d 1003 (Alaska 2024), the supreme court overturned Runyon ex rel. B.R. v. Ass’n. of Village Council Presidents, 84 P.3d 437 (Alaska 2004), and held that the Copper River Native Association (CRNA) was entitled to sovereign immunity because, Continue Reading »
CRIMINAL LAW Court of Appeals of Alaska (2024) Holly Merrill In Groom v. State, 551 P.3d 567 (Alaska Ct. App. 2024), the court of appeals held that the defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial was not violated when a judge determined the amount of restitution he owed. (Id. at 574). Groom was convicted Continue Reading »
ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY Supreme Court of Alaska (2024) Rosa Gibson In Disciplinary Matter Involving Crittenden, 554 P.3d 440 (Alaska 2024), the supreme court held that immediate disbarment was the appropriate sanction for a lawyer’s misconduct when the lawyer neglected duties to his clients, failed to safekeep his clients’ funds, and used such funds for Continue Reading »
CRIMINAL LAW Court of Appeals of Alaska (2024) Lauren Beizer In Drummer v. State of Alaska, 545 P.3d 452 (Alaska Ct. App. 2024), the court of appeals held that there was no self-incrimination violation at the trial court level, there was no abuse of discretion found at the trial court level, there was no error Continue Reading »
TRUSTS & ESTATES LAW Supreme Court of Alaska (2024) Rasa Kerelis In Guerra v. Wallace, the supreme court affirmed summary judgment and held that an attorney did not owe a duty of care to a nonclient (in this case, the beneficiary of an estate), nor did the attorney owe a duty of care to prevent Continue Reading »
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Court of Appeals of Alaska (2024) Brendan Genaw In Dixon v. State, 553 P.3d 1273 (Alaska Ct. App. 2024), the court of appeals held that a criminal defendant has the right to be physically present in the courtroom for a restitution hearing under the United States Constitution, the Alaska Constitution, and Alaska R. Continue Reading »
EMPLOYMENT LAW Supreme Court of Alaska (2024) Rasa Kerelis In Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children’s Services v. Lane 542 P.3d 1124 (Alaska 2024), the supreme court denied a post-trial motion for a new trial, vacated the superior court’s damages judgment to limit noneconomic damages calculations, and remanded for further proceedings. (Id.). Continue Reading »
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Supreme Court of Alaska (2024) Caitlyn Leary In Alaska Trappers Ass’n, Inc. v. City of Valdez, 548 P.3d 332 (Alaska 2024), the supreme court held that a city ordinance regulating trapping was a valid exercise of the city’s authority over public safety and land use. (Id. at 340). In 2005, the City of Continue Reading »
FAMILY LAW Supreme Court of Alaska (2024) Abby Murray In Adam F. v. Caitlin B., 551 P.3d 553 (Alaska 2024), the supreme court affirmed the superior court’s decision to temporarily suspend a father’s visitation with his child pending his engagement in a domestic violence intervention program (DVIP). Adam F. v. Caitlin B., 551 P.3d 553, Continue Reading »
EMPLOYMENT LAW Supreme Court of Alaska (2024) Rosa Gibson In Amos v. Tidwell, 552 P.3d 1060 (Alaska 2024), the supreme court held that (1) the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Appeals Commission (the “Commission”) exceeded its authority in creating a “buddy” exemption to the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Act (Act), and (2) the productive/ consumptive distinction did not Continue Reading »
