(SitNews) - Governor Sean Parnell today appointed Anchorage attorney Peter Maassen to the Alaska Supreme Court. Maassen is the 22nd justice appointed to the Court, and he replaces Justice Morgan Christen, who was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

Maassen came to Alaska in 1980 with his wife, and has been in private practice most of his career. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Hope College and his juris doctorate at the University of Michigan Law School. He is currently a partner at the general civil firm Ingaldson, Maassen & Fitzgerald PC, which represents individuals, businesses, government entities, and non-profits in litigation. Prior to that, he worked at Burr, Pease & Kurtz PC, practicing as an associate and eventually as a partner.

He is also a member of the Anchorage Youth Court Board of Directors and the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors. His interests include skiing and biking.

“Peter’s thoughtful, humble, and articulate manner will be an asset to the Supreme Court and the Alaskans it serves,” Governor Parnell said. “He has strong legal writing skills, intelligence, and a background that includes operating a small business.”

The Alaska Supreme Court serves as the appeals court for the state’s District and Superior Courts as well as the Alaska Court of Appeals. The chief justice and four associate justices hear cases in Anchorage on a monthly basis and in Fairbanks and Juneau on a quarterly basis. The court also administers the state’s judicial system.

Thirteen attorneys, from Ketchikan to Fairbanks, applied to the Alaska Judicial Council for this position on the Alaska Supreme Court. Justice Walter L. Carpeneti who now holds the position will retire in January 2013. Applicants for the judgeship were evaluated by the Council's seven members (the chief justice, three non-attorney and three attorney members).

Comprehensive background investigations, a survey of Alaska Bar members, and personal interviews with the applicants were all part of the evaluations, according to the Council's executive director, Larry Cohn. Interviews with applicants and a public hearing was held in Anchorage. The Council selected two of the nominees to send to the governor. Maassen was selected from the list of two applicants nominated by the Alaska Judicial Council.

Other Applicants considered by the Alaska Judicial Council were:

Joel H. Bolger: Judge Bolger has been an Alaska resident for 32 years, and has practiced law for 34 years. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1978, and is currently a judge on the Alaska Court of Appeals.

Susan Cox: Susan D. Cox has been an Alaska resident for 30 years, and has practiced law for 29 years. She graduated from the University of California at Davis, King Hall School of Law in 1982, and is currently Chief Assistant Attorney General in Juneau.

Jeffrey Friedman: Friedman has been an Alaska resident for 24½ years, and has practiced law for 24 years. He graduated from the University of Maryland, School of Law in 1984, and is currently an administrative law judge in Anchorage.

Andrew Guidi: Judge Guidi has been an Alaska resident for 30 years, and has practiced law for 29 years. He graduated from U.C.L.A. School of Law in 1982, and is currently a superior court judge in Anchorage.

Andy Harrington: Harrington has been an Alaska resident for 32 years, and has practiced law for 31 years. He graduated from Harvard University Law School in 1980, and is currently an assistant attorney general in Fairbanks.

Michael A. MacDonald: Judge MacDonald has been an Alaska resident for 31½ years, and has practiced law for 22½ years. He graduated from the University of New Mexico, School of Law in 1988, and is currently a superior court judge in Fairbanks.

Philip Pallenberg: Judge Pallenberg has been an Alaska resident for 28½ years, and has practiced law for 28 years. He graduated from the University of Washington Law School in 1983, and is currently a superior court judge in Juneau.

Eric Smith: Judge Smith has been an Alaska resident for 30½ years, and has practiced law for 33 years. He graduated from Yale Law School in 1979, and is currently a superior court judge in Palmer.

Trevor N. Stephens: Judge Stephens has been an Alaska resident for 52 years, and has practiced law for 27½ years. He graduated from the Willamette University College of Law in 1985, and is currently a superior court judge in Ketchikan.

Terry L. Thurbon: Judge Thurbon has been an Alaska resident for 21 years, and has practiced law for 25 years. She graduated from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1986, and is currently Chief Administrative Law Judge in Juneau.

Daniel Westerburg: Westerburg has been an Alaska resident for 33½ years, and has practiced law for 33 years. He graduated from the Ohio State University College of Law in 1978, and is currently in private practice in Homer.

Russ Winner: Winner has been an Alaska resident for 32 years, and has practiced law for 32 years. He graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 1975, and is currently in private practice in Anchorage.

 

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Sources of News: 

Office of the Governor
www.gov.state.ak.us

Alaska Judicial Council
www.ajc.state.ak.us

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