Our Practice Areas: Employment Law in Alaska

Employment Law in Alaska

The firm provides superior representation to a variety of private and public employers in the state of Alaska on employment issues.

The Employment Section is comprised of attorneys who have substantial jury trial experience and success in defending employment-related litigation on behalf of employers. The firm's clients include private employers, the State of Alaska, construction contractors and subcontractors, retail businesses, the resort industry, hospitals located in the state, physicians, and dentists.

The firm has represented employers in a variety of employment-related lawsuits including defense of wrongful discharge suits, defense of class actions alleging wage and hour violations, defense of sexual harassment and other discrimination lawsuits, and related tort and contract claims.

The services provided include audit review and preparation of personnel policies and employee handbooks, representation before municipal, state and federal administrative bodies including the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, Alaska State Commission on Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.

Employers in Alaska can contact the firm for advice on avoiding employment lawsuits as well as a vigorous and often times successful defense of employment-related lawsuits. The lawyers in this section are authorized to practice in State Court, Federal District Court, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Accomplishments

Atkinson v. Metlakatla Indian Community, et al. Represented defendants, Metlakatla Indian Community Annette Islands Reserve and  individual employees sued in wrongful death and negligent hiring and oversight action with claimed damages in excess of $5,000,000. Protracted litigation resulted in full summary judgment and case dismissal in defendant's favor. No appeal taken.
 
Doe v. Diocese of Juneau.
Represented defendant sued for the alleged acts of a former employee under the doctrine of respondent superior, aided in agency, negligent retention, and negligent supervision. The plaintiff sought an award of compensatory damages and an award of punitive damages. Successfully argued dismissal on the statute of limitations, and summary judgment was granted in favor of the defendant. No appeal taken.
 
Ibale v. Safeway. Represented defendant in federal court in wrongful termination case, with plaintiff alleging Title VII violations of race and gender discrimination, age discrimination under the Age Discrimination Employment Act, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and emotional distress. Summary judgment granted in its entirety by U.S. District Court. Plaintiff appealed to the 9th Circuit, which affirmed summary judgment.
 
Valentine v. ARC of Anchorage. Successfully defended complaint filed with the Alaska Human Rights Commission for wrongful termination under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Complaint summarily dismissed.

Perfetto v. Ryu. Successfully defended complaint of Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress. Defense verdict in October 2010.
 
Edward Helms v. Alyeska Resort. OSHA Case No. 11-606 - Successfully defended complaints filed by former employees with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Complaint summarily dismissed

Damke v. Alyeska Pipeline Co., 137 P.3d 295 (AK 2006)
Miller v. Safeway
Clark v. Clarr Gottstein Foods, Co.