Annual Convention
Thank you to everyone for making the 2023 convention a success!
Because our convention is moving from the fall to the spring, the next convention will take place in April 2025.
2023 Convention Information
General Information
Keynote Performance: Makin’ Cake with Dasha Kelly Hamilton
Touring nationally, Makin’ Cake is a spoken word performance that slices into American history exploring race, culture and class. The show serves up an experience and a conversation about equity in America. Part history lesson, part social science revelation, “Makin’ Cake” is a short story about America’s sweet tooth and pathway to salvation.
Dasha Kelly Hamilton is a writer, performance artist, curator and facilitator. Ultimately, she’s a creative change agent, leveraging the creative process toward human and social wellness. Dasha is the 2020-2022 Poet Laureate for the State of Wisconsin as well as a National Rubinger Fellow and a National Laureate Fellow with the American Academy of Poets
Quick Links
2023 Annual Convention Agenda
Fairbanks Area Restaurant List
Speaker Bios
Ticketed Events
2023 Sponsors
Questions? Contact Us!
Alaska Bar Association
907-272-7469
cle@alaskabar.org
Agenda
2023 Annual Convention Agenda
Ticketed Events
The 2023 Alaska Bar Convention provides a total of 8.0 General CLE credits and 3.0 Ethics credits. CLE topics include our Keynote Presentation: Makin’ Cake with Dasha Kelly Hamilton, an update on ICWA and Haaland v. Brackeen by featured speaker Erin Dougherty Lynch, our longtime convention staples Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and Professor Laurie Levinson, and more.
The Convention also includes social events such as a welcome reception, awards reception, the Alaska Bar Association’s Annual Meeting, and hospitality suites hosted by the Tanana Valley Bar Association.
The Annual Bar Convention allows our members, many of whom do not live on the road system, the opportunity to meet in-person with colleagues in educational as well as informal settings, fostering the collegial atmosphere that has long characterized our bar. To prioritize the collegial in-person atmosphere, we will not be recording or streaming the 2023 Annual Bar Convention.
Registration and Fees
Pre-registration required. Pre-registration is open until 5 PM September 8. Registration after September 8 will be considered as walk-ins and will be handled at the convention.
$300…………………………….. 2 Day access to all CLEs
$225 ………………………………. 1 Day access (Thursday or Friday)
$50………………………………. Printed course materials
$50………………………………….. Late Fee; registration after August 23, 2023
TICKETED EVENTS
Opening Welcome Reception …………………………….$20
Wednesday, September 20, 6:00 p.m.
Venue, 519 1st Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Awards Reception………………………………. $0 (Price included in registration fee)
Guest Fee……………………………….$15
Thursday, September 21, 5:30 p.m.
Westmark Gold Room
CONVENTION CANCELLATION POLICY
There is a $50 cancellation fee on your registration. No refund of registration fees can be made for cancellations after August 31, 2023.
COMPANION FARE
New lawyers (admitted to the Alaska Bar five years or less) can pair with another new lawyer OR a more experienced lawyer to attend convention CLEs by paying a $25 Companion Fare, when registering together with a lawyer paying the full registration fee. Both members must register together under one login and payment must be made with one credit card.
FREE CLE CERTIFICATES
Free CLE Certificates do not apply to the convention.
Speaker Bios
Hotel & Travel Info
FAIRBANKS AREA RESTAURANT LIST
As a reminder, lunch will be on your own for the convention. To help you find lunch places we have created this Fairbanks Area Restaurant List.
HOTEL
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center, 813 Noble Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701. Make your reservations online at www.westmarkhotels.com using group code: AKBAR1. Room rates are $159 per night for a standard room. Reservations must be made by August 2, 2023 or until sold out to get the group rate.
MEETING SITE
Convention registration, CLE programs, and Awards reception will be held at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center.
Wednesday’s Opening Welcome Reception will be held at Venue, 519 1st Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701.
AIR TRAVEL TO THE CONVENTION
Alaska Airlines has provided a 7% discount on all travel to Fairbanks between September 17 and September 25, 2023. Make your reservation online at www.alaskaair.com and provide discount code ECME805.
CAR RENTAL
Avis provides Alaska Bar Association members attending the annual convention with a discount program available at Avis Alaska airport rental locations. Go to https://reservations.avisalaska.com enter “akbar” for your “Corp Discount Code” and special rates will be quoted for each vehicle offered. A valid driver’s license and major credit card in renter’s name is required.
Convention Art
“Angle Rocks” by Linda Wies
Linda Wies is a Fairbanks based printmaker. She ventured into the world of art after moving to Alaska, where she had the opportunity to take classes from Gail Priday, Karina Gomez and David Mollet. During this time, she developed a passion for printmaking and spent a few years taking single credit UAF art classes, giving her access to a large printmaking studio. In 2020, she took a leap and purchased an etching press and set up a studio space at her home on Chena Ridge, which is now primarily where she works.
Linda’s work is largely focused on creating multi block relief prints. She hand carves linocuts and woodblocks which are individually inked and rolled through an etching press. She also carves solid wood pieces that are hand painted with Indian inks. Her process consists of sketching an image onto the wood carving, painting, and carving again until she has a finished piece- which is often a springboard to future relief prints. The subjects of Linda’s work are typically found in the forest around her home; fungi and lichen, ravens and sandhill cranes, and berries and flowers are all reoccurring images in her art. Linda attends local festivals where she does on-demand printmaking and teaching others how to print on recycled tee shirts.
Sponsors
Thanks to our Sponsors and Exhibitors! This event would not be possible without their support.
Click here for our 2023 Sponsor Brochure.
Interested in Sponsoring? Please contact Lynn Whittingham, CLE Coordinator @ 907-263-1835 or lynn@alaskabar.org. Click here for more information.
Denali Sponsor
ALPS – Sponsoring the Keynote Presentation Makin’ Cake CLE
As the Alaska Bar Association’s endorsed carrier, ALPS understands how valuable your time is. ALPS offers comprehensive malpractice and business insurance solutions making it easy for you to protect your entire firm. Their malpractice insurance application is flexible, easy, and 100% online – apply, review your quote, accept and pay in as little as 10 minutes.
For more, visit www.alpsinsurance.com/alaska
Grizzly Sponsor
CLIO – Sponsoring the Awards Reception
Clio is the world’s leading cloud-based legal software platform that prides itself in simplifying operations, growing businesses, and allowing legal professionals like you to work remotely from anywhere. Let Clio focus on the business side of running your firm while you spend more time doing what you do best — practicing law. Learn more at www.clio.com.
https://www.clio.com/partnerships/bar-associations/the-alaska-bar-association/
Visit Clio’s exhibitor booth at the convention.
LANDYE BENNETT BLUMSTEIN, LLP – Sponsoring the Opening Welcome Reception 
Our growth and success are grounded in a firm culture committed to providing exceptional legal representation, advice and advocacy that is practical and laser-focused on the needs and objectives of our clients. This commitment has driven us to the leadership position we occupy today in Alaska’s unique legal environment of many specialized practice areas including Alaska Native law, real estate, utilities, municipal law, environmental law and banking.
lbblawyers.com
THOMPSON LAW GROUP – Sponsoring the U.S. Supreme Court Opinions Update program
The Thompson Law Group is a boutique law firm specializing in matters ranging from family law, criminal, collections, small claims, evictions, civil disputes, corporate, and more. thompsonlawak.com/
Eagle Sponsor
49TH STATE LAW, LLC – Sponsoring the Alaska Appellate Law Update program
49th State Law represents individuals and tribal entities in all stages of child protection litigation. We put our clients first and are not afraid to disturb the status quo. 49thstatelaw.com
ALTMAN ROGERS & CO.
Altman, Rogers & Co. is Alaska’s largest locally owned certified public accounting firm. For over three decades, our firm has been offering accounting, audit, tax and consulting services, including litigation support, lost-income analysis, and fraud examinations. We have on staff Certified Fraud Examiners as well as Certified Public Accountants with years of experience. https://altrogco.com/
LAW OFFICES OF BLAKE FULTON QUACKENBUSH
We are a law firm comprised of highly trained attorneys, legal assistants, and professionals who have the experience, knowledge, and skills to get our clients what they want. Our firm has a national presence with offices located in Texas and Alaska.
In 2019, Mr. Quackenbush was awarded “Best Attorney” by the Anchorage Press. He and members of this firm have also received other awards, nominations, or invitations for membership by the American Institute of Legal Advocates, Top 40 Under 40, The National Advocates, Top 10 Attorney Award (Under 40), National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, Inc., and Family Law “10 Best Attorney” Selection for the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys.
bfqlaw.com
ROGERS LAW GROUP, LLC – Sponsoring the Embracing Cultural Differences – Working with Tribal Courts and Alaska Native Clients CLE
Rogers Law Group, LLC specializes in domestic relations, adoptions and related areas. Our experienced staff has been providing services to clients in Fairbanks and the state for more than 20 years. We also have a growing criminal defense practice.
fairbanksfamilylaw.com
STOEL RIVES, LLP – Sponsoring the ICWA/Haaland v. Brackeen Update program
Stoel Rives is a preeminent provider of legal services in Anchorage. Our Anchorage-based attorneys offer local solutions for corporate, environmental & natural resources; real estate and development; tax; government contracting; labor & employment; tribal; complex commercial litigation; intellectual property litigation; and white-collar criminal defense matters. Stoel.com
Wolf Sponsor
CARLSON LAW GROUP, LLC – Sponsoring the Legal Landscape for Alaska’s Alcoholic Beverage and Marijuana Licensees: The Top Challenges for 2023
Carlson Law Group, LLC is a full-service litigation firm that focuses on providing legal solutions for everyday people. Our team members specialize in all aspects of military law, criminal defense, Alcohol and Marijuana Licensing, family litigation and mediation, and employment litigation matters. bcarlsonlaw.com
VLEX
vLex, which now incorporates the renowned Fastcase, Docket Alarm, and NextChapter brands, is a multi-award-winning technology provider and home of the largest legal and regulatory information database in the world. Trusted by over two million lawyers, researchers, government departments, and law schools, vLex offers comprehensive and intuitive access to the law in over 200 jurisdictions through an intelligent, AI-powered legal research platform.
vlex.com
Visit vLex’s exhibitor booth at the convention.
Lupine Sponsor
SHAFTEL DELMAN, LLC – Sponsoring the Federal & State Courts Update CLE
We are a unique Alaska law firm. Our practice emphasizes estate planning, estate and trust administration, small business formation, and tax planning for businesses. We also provide estate planning services to non-residents of Alaska who are interested in Alaska’s new estate planning approaches.
Shaftellaw.com
Fireweed Exhibitor
The Alaska Directory of Attorneys is a comprehensive listing of all active Alaska bar members and the Alaska legal community published since 1978 by Todd Communications, an Alaska publishing company. It includes detailed information on bar members (title, firm, address, e-mail, phone, bar number, undergrad school/major/yr. of graduation, law school/yr. of graduation, other grad schools/yr. of graduation, other state bar memberships), as well as judges, court reporters, process servers, title companies and much more. We are Alaska’s only comprehensive listing of the Alaska legal community and have been used by legal secretaries, lawyers, judges, para-legals, office managers and others needing quick access to accurate up-to-date information about the Alaska legal community for more than 40 years. Published each Spring and Fall.
ALASKA OFFICE OF VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
The Alaska Office of Victims’ Rights provides free legal services to victims of crime to protect their rights under the Alaska Constitution and statutes. OVR advances and protects these rights in court when necessary and authorized by law.
ovr.akleg.gov/
HALL ADR, INC.
Emily Hall of Hall ADR is a retired military judge and full-time arbitrator and mediator based in Alaska. She hears cases and trains labor and employment professionals throughout the western United States and Canada. adrhall.com
LAWCLERK
LAWCLERK is where attorneys go to hire virtual associates and freelance lawyers. Solos and small firms can profit by outsourcing work to thousands of talented freelance lawyers. We offer Project and Subscription services to get you the exact help you need, when you need it. No sign-up or monthly fees. www.lawclerk.legal
Blueberry Exhibitor
ALASKA LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
ALSC Assists Clients who are facing critical civil legal issues ranging from consumer law, family law, housing problems, public benefits, healthcare, Alaska Native law, and other areas specific to veterans or the elderly.
alsc-law.org
ALASKA NETWORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) Legal Program provides free legal help to low-income survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. ANDVSA relies heavily on pro bono and contract attorneys to meet survivors’ legal needs and provides a wealth of resources and support for volunteers. Come to the ANDVSA table to learn about how you can help end domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska!
andvsa.org
ALASKA STATE COURT LAW LIBRARY
The Alaska State Court Law Library serves the legal information needs of Alaskans by selecting, organizing, and facilitating access to legal research resources and court system information. The main library collection and statewide administration is at the Anchorage law library, and branch libraries in Fairbanks and Juneau have smaller print collections and staff to help navigate both the print and electronic materials. In addition, library services are available to people throughout the state via remote delivery and law library portals in most court locations.
courts.alaska.gov/library
JUSTICE NOT POLITICS ALASKA
Justice Not Politics Alaska is a nonpartisan group of Alaskans concerned about recent efforts to amend the Judiciary Article of Alaska’s Constitution in a manner that would increase the influence of politics in our state’s judicial selection and retention processes. In our view, the Judiciary Article (Article IV) is one of the jewels of our constitution and the principal reason that Alaska has had a long history of judicial excellence. Under its provisions, the independent Alaska Judicial Council evaluates applicants for judgeships and nominates the most highly qualified applicants to the Governor, who makes the final appointment. Once appointed, judges periodically stand for retention during general elections, and the council evaluates their performance and makes recommendations to voters on whether they should be retained
Interested in Sponsoring? Please contact Lynn Whittingham, CLE Coordinator @ 907-263-1835 or lynn@alaskabar.org. Click here for more information.
2025 AK Bar Convention
April 23-25, 2025
Sheraton Anchorage Hotel
401 6th Ave, Anchorage
Keynote Speaker
We are thrilled to announce that Neal Katyal will be delivering the keynote address at our 2025 AK Bar Convention!
For more information about Neal Katyal, please visit https://www.nealkatyal.com/ or https://www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/neal-k-katyal/.
Featured Speakers
Dean Erwin Chemerinsky
University of California Berkeley Law School
Professor Laurie Levenson
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Interested in being a sponsor or exhibitor?
Please contact
Lynn Whittingham
CLE Coordinator
lynn@alaskabar.org
907-272-7469
Stay Connected
Updates on the convention will be post on our website and Facebook page.
Questions
Please contact
Kara Bridge
CLE Director
bridge@alaskabar.org
907-272-7469
