Eight attorneys have applied for the forthcoming Alaska Supreme Court vacancy, which will be created by Justice Dana Fabe's expected retirement in June 2016. The hopefuls include private practice attorneys, a tribal court judge and several state Superior Court judges.
The Alaska Judicial Council said in a prepared statement Friday it will vet the applicants. Those evaluations include background checks, a survey of Alaska Bar members and personal interviews.
The lawyers who applied have practiced law from a low of 14 years to a high of 32 years, according to the council.
Andrew Guidi is the most practiced applicant. Currently an Anchorage Superior Court judge, Guidi has lived in Alaska for 33 years and practiced law for nearly as long. This year, he narrowed the scope of a court order demanding the city turn over all documents related to a contentious 2013 labor ordinance.
Kotzebue Superior Court Judge Paul Roetman, who has practiced law for 14 years, also applied for the position. He's lived in Alaska for 43 years, the council said. Guidi and Roetman were two of six judicial appointments made by former Gov. Sean Parnell.
Applicant Kevin Clarkson is a private attorney in Anchorage with 30 years of experience. He represented the Anchorage Baptist Temple when an inquiry targeted the church led by the Rev. Jerry Prevo over a tax-exempt home. He also is the lawyer for a group challenging the Alaska Public Offices Commission over campaign contribution limits.
Also in private practice, applicant Jahna Lindemuth is representing George Frese and Marvin Roberts, two of the so-called "Fairbanks Four."
David Avraham Voluck teaches law and is a part-time tribal court judge. He is the co-author of the third edition of the book "Alaska Natives and American Laws."
The other applicants are Philip Pallenberg, a Superior Court judge serving Juneau; Ruth Botstein, an assistant attorney general; and Susan Carney, a supervising attorney for the Office of Public Advocacy.
Interviews with the applicants and a public hearing will be held in Anchorage. The judicial council will forward two or more nominees to Gov. Bill Walker, who will make the appointments.