Annual Convention
2025 Convention Information
General Information
2025 AK Bar Convention
April 23-25, 2025
Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, Anchorage
Keynote Address
The Modern Supreme Court and the Rule of Law
Neal Katyal
Neal Katyal is a partner at Milbank LLP in Washington, D.C., and a member of the firm’s Litigation & Arbitration Group. A former Acting Solicitor General of the United States, he has argued 52 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including landmark victories in Moore v. Harper, Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, and Bristol-Myers Squibb v. Superior Court. Recognized as one of the most prolific Supreme Court advocates, he has expertise in appellate and complex litigation across antitrust, corporate, constitutional, securities, technology, criminal, intellectual property, and tribal law.
A tenured law professor at Georgetown University, he chairs the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection and has taught at Harvard and Yale. His influence extends beyond the courtroom—he is a New York Times bestselling author, frequent legal analyst for MSNBC and The New York Times, and a sought-after speaker. He has received numerous accolades, including American Lawyer’s Litigator of the Year (2017, 2023) and the Justice Department’s Edmund Randolph Award.
Neal has served as a Trustee for Dartmouth College, the Whitney Museum, and the Supreme Court Historical Society, and he frequently engages with the public through media appearances and his Courtside litigation series.
Quick Links
Agenda
2025 AK Bar Convention Agenda
2025 AK Bar Ticketed Events Information
The 2025 Alaska Bar Convention provides a total of 10.25 General CLE credits and 3.0 Ethics credits. CLE topics include our Keynote Address: The Modern Supreme Court and the Rule of Law with Neal Katyal; Thinking Ethically about AI; How to Make Pro Bono a Part of Your Practice, and our longtime convention staples Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and Professor Laurie Levenson, 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 Anchorage Bar Association.
The AK 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 2025 AK Bar Convention.
Registration and Fees
Pre-registration required and open through April 9th. After April 9th, registration will be subject to availability and managed onsite at the convention.
$350……………………………. 2 Day access to all CLEs, meals & awards reception
$275 …………………………… 1 Day access (Thursday or Friday)
$75……………………………… Hard copy of course materials
$75……………………………… Late Fee; registration after March 31, 2025
$100……………………….…… New Lawyers & Qualified Legal Service Providers Registration fee
TICKETED EVENTS
Opening Welcome Reception …………………………….$30
Wednesday, April 23, 6:00 p.m.
Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, The Summit (15th floor)
Entertainment: TBA
Awards Reception………………………………. $0 (Price included in registration fee)
Guest Fee……………………………….$30
Thursday, April 24, 5:00 p.m.
Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, Howard Rock Ballroom (2nd floor)
NEW LAWYER & QUALIFIED LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS REGISTRATION FEE
- New lawyers (admitted to the Alaska Bar five years or less) can attend convention for a reduced rate of $100.
- Qualified Legal Service Providers (QLSPs) are recognized by the Board of Governors to offer pro bono legal services throughout Alaska. Click here to view the list of approved QLSPs. QLSP staff members are eligible to attend the convention at a reduced rate of $100. To register at this discounted rate, please email cle@alaskabar.org or call 907-272-7469.
- A late fee of $75 will be applied after April 9th.
CONVENTION CANCELLATION POLICY
There is a $50 cancellation fee on your registration. No refund of registration fees can be made for cancellations after April 9, 2025.
FREE CLE CERTIFICATES
Free CLE Certificates do not apply to the convention.
Speaker Bios
We’re Finalizing the Details – Check Back Soon!
Hotel & Travel Info
CONVENTION MEETING SITE
Convention Registration, CLE programs, and receptions will be held at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, 401 E 6th Avenue, Anchorage.
HOTEL
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, 401 E 6th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501.
Reservations can be made by
- Calling Sheraton Reservations at 800-478-8700 Please identify yourself as being with the Alaska Bar Association to receive the group rate.
- Online booking – Book your group rate for AK Bar Association Convention APRIL 2025
Room rates are $169 + 12% Occupancy Tax per night for a standard room. Reservations must be made by March 20, 2025 to get the group rate.
PARKING AT THE CONVENTION
Parking is available at the Sheraton parking lots surrounding the hotel for $12.00 per day for day parking and for all overnight guests.
For additional parking options, please visit EasyPark Alaska for Downtown Anchorage locations. For convenient parking payments, consider using the “PayByPhone” mobile app.
AIR TRAVEL TO THE CONVENTION
Alaska Airlines has provided a 7% discount on all travel to Anchorage between April 20 and April 28, 2025. Make your reservation online at www.alaskaair.com and provide discount code ECMO015.
CAR RENTAL
TBA
Convention Art
Across from Sheep Mountain
Lynn Brautigam Boots
Across from Sheep MountainAcross the road from Sheep Mountain Lodge and down the Glenn Highway there is a road pullout with a commanding view of the valley below and in the distance a series of mountains and glaciers. This road has some of the most spectacular vistas in Alaska and one we always recommend it to visitors and locals alike as it is not as traveled as the Parks highway. Anytime is a great time to travel this way but my favorite time is in late July with the fireweed blooming. Enjoy our Alaska and appreciate what we have.
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Lynn Brautigam Boots was born in Alaska and has always been inspired to reflect the beauty of her home. She employs a classic impressionist technique, stretching the color and letting your eye fill in the details. Her favorite place to be is painting en plein air in front of incredible vista.
In high school, Lynn was fortunate to visit the Fred Machetanz at his home near Palmer and observe his process. She took design, painting and illustration classes at Oregon State University, did a yearlong intensive study with master plein air painter Kevin MacPherson, as well as took workshops with Rod Weagant, Lois Griffel, Director of the Cape Cod School of Art, Norma Lowell, Ralph Oberg, Warwick Fuller in Australia, and Matt Smith. She is a member of the Plein Air Painters of Alaska, Alaska Artist’s Guild, Oil Painters of America, associate member, and is a Trustee of Alaska State Council on the Arts.
ARTIST PHILOSOPHY
“My work is about color. I combine the awe inspiring grandeur of the Alaska landscape with a classic impressionist approach to color, light, and atmosphere in my paintings. Much of my work is painted on-site, en plein air. I try to capture the emotional response of “being there” with a palette knife, brush, and oil paints. My work combines two of my favorite in life: being outdoors and oil painting.”
Sponsors
Interested in Sponsoring? Please contact Lynn Whittingham, CLE & Sections Coordinator @ 907-272-7469 or lynn@alaskabar.org.
Questions
Alaska Bar Association
907-272-7469
cle@alaskabar.org
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
