Alaska Judicial Council
From Judgepedia
The Alaska Judicial Council is a state agency in Alaska, established by the Alaska Constitution in 1959, and charged with:
- Screening and nominating applicants for judicial vacancies for appointment by the governor;
- Evaluating the performance of judges and providing evaluation information and recommendations to voters;
- Conducting research and publishing reports to improve the administration of justice in Alaska.
Composition of the Judicial Council
The judicial council is composed of:
- Three nonlawyer members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by a majority of the legislature in joint session;
- Three lawyer members who are appointed by the board of governors of the Alaska Bar Association; and
- The chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, who serves as the ex officio chair.
Current members in addition to ex officio member Dana Fabe are:
| Member | Attorney? | Appointment effective | Term ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Cannon | | 2/23/2006 | 2/23/2012 |
| Kevin Fitzgerald | | 4/23/2008 | 2/23/2014 |
| Louis James Menendez | | 7/19/2007 | 2/23/2010 |
| Bill Gordon | | 5/18/2003 | 3/01/2014 |
| Charles Kopp | | 3/02/2007 | 3/01/2013 |
| Christena Williams | | 5/18/2005 | 3/01/2011 |
The constitution states that appointments to the AJC must be made "with due consideration to area representation and without regard to political affiliation" and must be geographically diverse.
Members of the AJC serve staggered six-year terms, except for the chief justice who serves for three years.
