An Introduction to Law Careers in Alaska
The legal career landscape in Alaska bears similarities to what you would find in many of the lower 48. For example, the state does have a public defender’s office: the Alaska Office of Public Advocacy. This department reports to the Legislative Council and serves as a guardian ad litem for certain people. There are some private non-profit agencies, like Legal Services Corporation of Alaska and Alaska Legal Services Corporation, but these firms generally only hire a handful of attorneys at any one time. Although larger law firms are present on the map, the demand for attorneys here also tends to rely more on smaller , more specialized practices, which is much the case in many states.
Unlike many places across the country, a number of legal specializations are also covered by dedicated state entities. For example, child protection attorney positions are filled by the Office of Attorney General’s Child Protection Unit. In addition, there is a separate Office of Public Advocacy division that serves as the state’s representation in Social Security disability claims. Even with these divisions, the general hiring rule appears to be for fewer attorneys than many firms or public offices have in other states.
Leading Employers in Alaska
On top of state and federal positions, there are law firms hiring lawyers in Alaska. Here are the top firms looking for lawyers in the state:
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
This firm is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest and has over a dozen offices. Their practice areas cover everything from antitrust to worker’s compensation.
Bremner & Sons
Focusing on real estate and insurance claims, this firm is located in Anchorage and has two attorneys and three support staff.
DeLisio Law
Another Anchorage firm, the DeLisio Law firm focuses on personal injury and general litigation. They are a rapidly growing firm with a strong reputation in the area.
Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC
Located in Anchorage, this firm focuses on labor and employment litigation, environmental and land use, and insurance, property, and casualty litigation. They have strong ties to the local community.
Perkins Coie
A national firm with a strong presence in Alaska, Perkins Coie often has openings for lawyers and interns in their Alaska locations.
These are the top firms in the area for job seekers. Keep an eye on their listings or use a recruiter to help with your search in the state.
Most Common Specialties for Practicing Lawyers
Alaska’s unique legal landscape makes it both daunting and exhilarating to practice law for clients and practitioners. Its economic drivers and demographic make-up lead to the following areas of legal specializations in high demand: criminal defense, about one-quarter of all Alaska lawyers are in the public defender’s office or work in the private sector practicing criminal law; real estate is booming in all markets, but especially in the Anchorage/Mat-Su area, which leads to a great need for attorneys to draft contracts, leases, sales, construction, and real-estate-related litigation; family law, particularly divorce, as the cost of living continues to be relatively high compared to salaries, and many people still have to face life events that require the help of family law attorneys; construction, both on the private and public side, as the state has many federal government contracts and regulations that require oversight and litigation assistance; and administrative law, as Alaska has a large representation at both the state and federal level, which naturally makes it a driving force for attorneys specializing in this area to represent companies, municipalities, and state agencies.
Requirements for Pursuing Law Jobs in Alaska
In addition to the standard ABA requirements, prospective lawyers seeking law jobs in Alaska must also fulfill a few state-specific qualifications. Those seeking admission to the Alaska bar after 2009 must possess either the Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from an ABA-accredited institution. Moreover, all candidates must satisfy the Alaska State Bar Admission Rule 124(1), which requires a score of at least 85 on either the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) or an equivalent test, as determined by the Board of Bar Examiners (the Board). In order to qualify for the bar, prospective attorneys are also required to submit evidence of good moral character and fitness. Due to the high number of international students who attend ABA schools, the Alaska Supreme Court also requires students from certain foreign law schools to take a preparatory course before taking the Bar Examination. In order to qualify for such an exemption, foreign students must possess the educational qualifications to apply to attend an ABA law school (which is a slightly lower requirement than actually enlisting and attending an ABA law school). Students who fall into the exempt category must also demonstrate that they practiced or worked in a law related position for at least five of the last seven years in a country whose legal system is primarily based on English Common Law. However, certain positions, such as judges and in-house counsel, do not necessarily fulfill the employment requirement. Lastly , students from foreign institutions seeking an exemption must also take 28 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) regarding ethics and professional responsibility.
Alaska also allows for several alternative qualification methods for those who did not attend American Bar Association schools. As one alternative, the Alaska Board of Bar Examiners considers candidates who have earned an L.LM degree from an ABA-accredited school. Alternately, applicants may also qualify under Rule 2 of Appendix A of the Rules of Admission, which allows qualified attorneys to use recent experience in the legal field as a substitute. An applicant seeking admission under this provision must have resided in Alaska for at least two of the past three years and have practiced law for at least 36 months. The practice requirement is waived for recent Alaska law graduates who are admitted within 50 months after enrollment. Furthermore, in instances where close family members, such as a spouse, parent or child, reside within the state, the practice requirements may be partially waived. Ultimately, qualifying for admission to the Alaska Bar takes work, and unfamiliarity with these procedures could undermine your chances for success.
Fortunately, prospective lawyers will generally find that law-related career opportunities in Alaska are worth the trouble as the state boasts numerous areas that rely heavily on the legal profession, both for local and corporate businesses. In fact, the legal services industry is projected to grow from 12 percent to 20 percent over the next decade, placing many highly qualified individuals in a position to land lucrative and rewarding positions across the area.
Networking Opportunities and Legal Associations
Networking and professional development are vital components of a successful law career in any state, but they take on particular significance in Alaska, where the legal community is tight-knit and opportunities to connect with peers can be limited. Fortunately, there are a number of ways law professionals in Alaska can build and cultivate their professional networks.
One of the most effective ways to connect with peers and mentors in Alaska is to take an active role in the legal community. Joining local and state bar associations, attending continuing legal education (CLE) events, and participating in community service projects are all great ways to meet other law professionals and build relationships. It’s also a good idea to reach out to other law professionals for informational interviews, asking for advice on career development or insights into a particular area of practice.
Attending networking events specifically geared toward law professionals is another great way to make new connections. These events, which can range from happy hours to speaker series to industry mixers, provide opportunities to meet peers and talk about your practice, your firm, and your career aspirations.
Finally, make sure to take advantage of any opportunities for professional development, whether that means taking CLE courses to learn a new area of practice or participating in a mentorship program to receive guidance and support from senior professionals in the field. The more you invest in your own development, the more you’ll have to offer others. This will also go a long way toward building your reputation and establishing you as a valuable resource within your field.
By taking these steps, law professionals in Alaska can expand their networks, gain valuable insights, and position themselves for success in a competitive legal job market.
Demand and Competition in Alaska
The challenges of practicing law in Alaska are no different from many other jurisdictions. Most attorneys consider it challenging to find time for a work/life balance, particularly when one factor is the geographic isolation of the state. Legal matters are now often more complex and significant, so diligent preparation is essential for success.
In addition, the development of a community of Alaskan lawyers who truly want to practice in Alaska may require something more. Many of the strongest practitioners will have relocated to the state; thus leaving their families and lives behind. It is difficult to find practice-support professionals that have made permanent moves. However, not only do most opportunities in Alaska really reward the talent and dedication but the quality of life issues in this state are often better than many metropolitan areas, making relocation and investing the time and resources in establishing themselves worthwhile .
Legal practitioners in Alaska are also encountering greater competition for business. However, the nature of the state means that many of the local firms, particularly solo and small practitioners, are not necessarily up to date on the technology, marketing, or training resources that are available – and in some cases necessary – for maintaining a competitive edge. The concept of practice groups instead of departments may not be available to many less populated firms. This can be good or bad, depending on the type of practice you have.
Lawyers even have the opportunity to establish themselves as leaders in the legal industry in Alaska by filing a case or setting a precedent. The sparse population in the state means that being the first to litigate a particular issue gives you the opportunity to create another layer of security for your practice, even a tradition. Alaskans value those who strike out boldly on their behalf, and will appreciate the work that you have done to establish their case law.