I blend strategic thinking with deep community insight to help clients navigate complex challenges with a focus on practical solutions that advance their long-term objectives.
Alex practices in the areas of Alaska Native law, corporate and tribal, and government relations and advocacy. Alex was born and raised in Alaska. He is a tribal citizen of Tangirnaq Native Village and a shareholder of Natives of Kodiak, Koniag Inc., and Cook Inlet Region Inc.
His experience includes advocacy in intergovernmental relations, cross-jurisdictional matters, tribal justice systems, and complex legal issues involving tribal, state, and federal law. Alex returns to private practice after building and leading legal practices serving Alaska Native communities across nonprofit, governmental, and corporate contexts over more than twenty years.
Alex assists Alaska Tribes, tribal organizations, and Alaska Native Corporations in board governance, shareholder matters, corporate compliance, and strategic legal matters. He advises clients on business transactions, entity formation, economic development, and commercial contracts. Clients benefit from his extensive experience navigating the unique legal and regulatory landscape facing Alaska Native entities, including work on tribal court development, ANCSA corporate governance, ISDEAA contracting, and tribal-state-federal relations. He has worked closely with tribal governments, ANCSA corporations, tribal health organizations, and Alaska Native communities throughout the state.
Alex serves as Judge Pro Tem for the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and on the Board of Directors of Koniag, Inc., an ANCSA Regional Corporation where he has served since 2015. He is also a member of the Woody Island Tribal Council. This combination of judicial service, board experience, and elected tribal leadership provides practical, firsthand insight into the governance challenges and legal obligations facing Alaska Native entities.
More Bio
Admitted to Practice
- State of Alaska
- State of California
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California
- Central Council Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska
Education
- Northeastern University School of Law, J.D. 2003
- University of Washington, B.A. 1999
Memberships & Recognition
- Alaska Bar Association
- Member, Alaska Native Law Section
- California Bar Association Member
- Tlingit & Haida Court
- Judge Pro Tem, Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
- Board of Directors, Koniag Inc.
- Member, Woody Island Tribal Council
Additional
Publications
Guest, Tribes look to modernize the traditional practice of banishment, Native American Calling (Sep 18, 2025), audio at https://www.nativeamericacalling.com/thursday-september-18-2025-tribes-look-to-modernize-the-traditional-practice-of-banishment/.
Guest, The imbalance of parole and probation, Native America Calling (May 15, 2024), audio at https://www.nativeamericacalling.com/wednesday-may-15-2024-the-imbalance-of-parole-and-probation/.
Presentations
Presenter, Alaska Native Values in Modern Governance, University of Alaska Anchorage Training Conference, November 2025.
Invited Presenter, Indian Child Welfare Act, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Congressional Staff Briefing, June 2022.
Invited Presenter, Public Safety in Native Communities, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Roundtable Discussion, May 2022 at https://www.indian.senate.gov/newsroom/press-release/republican/murkowski-co-hosts-roundtable-discussion-public-safety-and-justice-native/
Presenter, Promising Practices from the Field, American Indian Justice Conference, November 2021.
Presenter and Keynote Address, Overview of Tribal Court Structures; Diversion Agreements; Judicial Ethics; Enforcement of Tribal Law and Court Orders, Bering Strait Tribal Justice Summit, September 2019.
Selected Teaching
Adjunct Professor, Tribal Courts and Alaska Native Rights, LEGL 485 (3 credits), University of Alaska Anchorage, Spring and Fall 2025.
Co-Professor, Alaska Native Legal Issues and Solutions, Law 791 (2 credits), Arizona State University College of Law, March 2023.
Guest Lecturer, Federal Indian Law: Alaska's Unique Legal Landscape and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, McGeorge University School of Law, November 2022.
Guest Lecturer, Alaska Natives, American Laws: Indian Law & Order Commission and implications of the 2022 Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, Lewis & Clark Law School, June 2022.
