OPINION: A judge who deserves to be retained

I am always amazed at the persistence of certain myths, even when overwhelming evidence points to the contrary. One myth that is particularly sensitive to me is the notion that all attorneys are liberal, the Alaska Bar Association is captured by liberals, and hence all of our judges are liberal and fail to decide cases the “right way.”

Over my 46 years of practicing law in Alaska, I have tried cases all over the state and argued before countless judges. After a case is filed, the clerk’s office randomly assigns a judge to the matter, and I always share that information with my client. Over these many years, I can’t recall a single instance when a client asked me, “Is the judge a Republican or Democrat?” or “What’s the judge’s view on religious freedom?”

Instead, a client might ask if we were assigned a good or bad judge. I make that evaluation not based on their political views (and frankly, I would have no clue what those might be), but on my experience and what I know about the judge: Are they diligent in working their cases and managing their docket?

No judge comes to the bench with a fluent understanding of criminal law, landlord-tenant issues, real estate disputes, Child in Need of Aid, divorce, child custody, constitutional law, product liability, personal injury and appeals from regulatory agencies — just to mention a few. That is why, in my view, the overriding consideration of what makes a “good” judge is whether the judge is conscientious and a hard worker. If they are, they will learn and master the subjects that they are called upon to decide.

This November, Alaskans will vote on whether to retain a number of judges and justices who have been serving on the bench since their appointment. Their appointment, and their retention, is part of the constitutionally prescribed practice set forth in the Alaska Constitution.

One of those judges is Alaska Superior Court Judge Adolf Zeman, who I view as one of the best judges serving on the bench today. I’m voting to retain Judge Zeman — precisely because he is conscientious and a hard worker. I encourage you to do the same.

I’ve known Judge Zeman for more than 20 years, starting when he was hired as an associate to work at my firm following his clerkship with a Superior Court judge. I supported his application because, from personal experience, I knew he would follow his oath, and carefully discharge his duty to decide cases faithfully and impartially.

He was born and raised in Anchorage, married his high-school sweetheart, and is deeply invested in the community he grew up in. He coaches youth soccer, serves on various court system committees and is on the board of Special Olympics Alaska.

You don’t have to take my word for it. The framers of our state constitution had the wisdom to create a judicial system that was truly independent — and not based on party affiliation or political views. The Alaska Judicial Council surveys everyone who has professional contact with a judge standing for retention, including police officers, social workers, court staff, lawyers, litigants, and jurors. They also conduct public hearings and evaluate the judge’s record on appeal.

If there is another more rigorous and comprehensive job review process in this state, I am unaware of it.

Judge Zeman has received top marks on all the criteria that AJC looks at: legal ability, impartiality, integrity, temperament and diligence.

But what impresses me is he continues to be a humble and no-frills jurist. In his own words (as contained in the data made available by AJC), “I work every day to ensure the people who appear before me feel heard and that they know that I take their legal issues seriously and do my best to resolve their dispute in a timely and fair manner.”

In my view, it is those qualities — not political views or leanings — that distinguish Judge Zeman. He has served Alaskans with integrity. Please join me in voting yes to retain Judge Zeman.

Michael Geraghty is a practicing attorney, former Alaska attorney general, and co-chair of Alaskans for Fair Courts.

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