Alaskans for Fair Courts

Litigation

In July 2025, Alaskans for Fair Courts filed a lawsuit in the Anchorage Superior Court, alleging that Governor Mike Dunleavy (R-AK) illegally appointed John W. Wood for a seat on the Alaska Judicial Council. The lawsuit alleged that because Wood was a former attorney, he was ineligible to hold a seat that was required to be filled by a non-attorney. It also argued he should be considered ineligible as he held a contract with the state that, at the time, had most recently paid him in June 2025. Lastly, the lawsuit claimed that while it was made during the legislative session, the appointment should be considered void as it was made after legislators had voted on confirmations. ³

In October 2025, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Yvonne Lamoureux ruled that Wood’s Dunleavy’s appointment did not violate the state constitution. Judge Lamoureux stated that because Wood had not been an attorney for 25 years and has no intention of practicing law again, he satisfied the requirement of being a non-attorney. It was also brought up the fact that other members of the board had contracts with the state, and Judge Lamoureux concluded that Wood’s contract was inconsistent with the definition of “position of profit” as outlined in the state constitution. She also noted that the state constitution does not require appointments to be made during specific time periods and that prior appointees had always begun serving while awaiting confirmation or rejection by the legislature. ⁴

Advocacy

In March 2025, Alaskans for Fair Courts reposted an article from NBC News criticizing U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) for leading an “attack” by Republicans against the judiciary. The article criticized right-leaning members of the U.S. Congress for proposing budget cuts and the defunding of courts in response to judges’ rulings against the Trump administration. ^{5 6}

In October 2024, the Alaskans for Fair Courts board of directors published an op-ed in the Peninsula Clarion that expressed support for all judges and justices on the ballot for re-election in 2024. The op-ed qualified its approval of the judges by citing the group’s non-partisan organization mission and referring to the alleged ideological diversity of its members. It reported being made up of two former attorney generals who were appointed by Republican governors, a former Republican legislator, a union leader, a retired tribal judge, and a “civil rights advocate.” ⁷

The board of directors’ 2024 op-ed went on to specifically express support for Judge Adolf Zeman, claiming that he required extra support due to “a disproportionate share of attention” as a result of a campaign opposing his re-election. The op-ed stated, “The campaign wants you to remove Judge Zeman because Judge Zeman’s ruling does not coincide with the campaign groups’ ideology.” The controversial ruling had held that it violated the Alaska Constitution to use public funding to purchase private educational services. ⁸

Funding

Alaskans for Fair Courts reports on its website that its top three donors are attorney James Torgerson, attorney Roger DuBrock, and Northrim Bank. ^{1 9}

Leadership

Retired attorney and former president of ACLU Alaska Donna Goldsmith is the co-chair and president of Alaskans for Fair Courts. ^{1 10 11}

Financials

In 2024, Alaskans for Fair Courts reported $190,929 in total revenues, all of which came from direct contributions. It also reported $255,256 in total expenses, including $112,028 in professional fees paid to independent contractors. ¹²