We’re proud to announce that several Landye Bennett Blumstein attorneys have been recognized among Alaska’s Legal Elite 2026, as featured in the September issue of Alaska Business Magazine. Each is named by their peers for delivering exceptional legal service across Alaska.

Congratulations to Phil Blumstein, Michelle Boutin, Jennifer Coughlin, Anna Chapman Crary, Andy Erickson, Josh Hodes, Doug Karet, Karl Kaufman, Alex Kubitz, Matt Mead, Jackson Morawski, Leslie Need, Michael Partrick, Dezi Robb, Lauren Sommer, Ben Spiess, John “Sky” Starkey, and River Sterne!

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is proud to announce that 10 attorneys have earned recognition in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, a reflection of their dedication to their practice and the respect of their peers.

The firm’s recognized attorneys span 10 practice areas in Alaska including:

• Philip Blumstein – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Native American Law
• Michelle L. Boutin – Litigation-Bankruptcy
• Jennifer M. Coughlin – Family Law
• Joshua D. Hodes – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Construction Law, and Real Estate Law
• Robert H. Hume, Jr. – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Real Estate Law
• Doug Karet – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Karl Kaufman – Corporate Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
• Alex Kubitz – Ones to Watch for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Real Estate Law
• Lauren Sommer Boskofsky – Corporate Law, Native American Law, and Real Estate Law
• Benjamin Spiess – Corporate Law and Real Estate Law

We are especially pleased that Best Lawyers has named Josh Hodes Lawyer of the Year in Real Estate, Anchorage for 2027.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is pleased to announce that partner Karl Kaufman has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Chambers High Net Worth, ranking Band 2 in Private Wealth Law for Alaska. This marks Karl’s tenth consecutive year of recognition in the guide, reflecting his sustained standing among the state’s leading private wealth practitioners.

Karl advises wealthy individuals and families on all aspects of tax, trusts and probate. He is a past president of the Anchorage Estate Planning Council and a frequent speaker on federal and state tax issues, estate planning, probate matters, and Alaska Native law. Karl received his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law and his J.D., Order of the Coif, from the University of Oregon School of Law.

Chambers High Net Worth is a leading global guide to the private wealth market, ranking lawyers and firms based on technical legal ability, client service, and commercial awareness, as assessed through in-depth interviews with clients and peers.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is pleased to welcome Chanel A.T. Simon to the firm as an associate attorney. She will focus her practice on Alaska Native law, business law, civil litigation, and real estate law.

Chanel earned her JD from Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law with an Indian Law Certificate. Prior to joining the firm, she was an Assistant District Attorney in Bethel, where she prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases across the dozens of communities of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Before becoming licensed, she was a Law Clerk at the Alaska Superior Court in Bethel and during law school held internships with the United States Senate in Washington, D.C., Doyon, Ltd., and the Court of Appeals in Fairbanks. She currently serves as the New Lawyers Liaison on the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors.

Chanel is a lifelong Alaskan who has lived in both rural and urban communities. She is a shareholder of Doyon, Limited and K’oyitl’ots’ina Limited, and is an enrolled member of Huslia Village. She is an unenrolled descendant of Calista Corporation, Bethel Native Corporation, and Orutsararmiut Native Council.

At Landye Bennett Blumstein, we have built our practice around skilled lawyers who bring unique experience and perspective to their work. We are excited for Chanel’s future as an attorney at the firm and are confident she will be a valued contributor in serving our clients and the broader community.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is proud to announce its continued recognition in the Chambers USA 2026 Guide, earning rankings across multiple Alaska law practice areas and individual attorney categories. These results reflect the firm’s longstanding commitment to delivering quality legal services in Alaska.

Our consistent inclusion in the Chambers rankings reflects our depth of experience, strength of client relationships, and our ability to handle complex matters across many industries and disciplines, including Native American law, corporate law, real estate law, and litigation in Alaska.

Firm Department Rankings

Native American Law – Band 1
We are leaders in Alaska Native law, and our attorneys regularly advise Alaska Native Corporations, tribes, and organizations interacting with ANCs on corporate affairs, ANCSA compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate matters. LBB maintains the ANCSA Resource Center, providing accessible legal resources on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Corporate/M&A – Band 2
Our corporate law and M&A practice is recognized for its comprehensive capabilities across securities, tax, governance, and mergers and acquisitions. We represent a diverse client base, including Alaska Native Corporations and regional businesses, offering strategic advice on transactions and corporate operations.

Real Estate – Band 2
Our Alaska real estate law practice is recognized for its work across commercial development, leasing, financing, and land use. We also bring significant experience in supporting projects in Alaska including construction law, title matters, environmental due diligence, and boundary disputes.

Litigation: General Commercial – Band 3
LBB continues to be acknowledged for its strong commercial litigation team in Alaska, representing clients in a wide range of disputes. Our experience includes administrative proceedings, civil litigation, and insurance litigation.

Individual Attorney Rankings

Phil Blumstein – Ranked in three categories, including in Corporate/M&A (Band 2), Native American Law (Band 1), and Real Estate (Band 2). Phil is widely regarded as a leading Alaska business attorney and strategic advisor to major public and private entities, including Alaska Native Corporations.

Joshua D. Hodes – Ranked in Real Estate (Band 2), Josh advises clients on a broad range of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, development, financing, and leasing across Alaska and other markets.

Jennifer Coughlin – Ranked in Litigation: General Commercial (Band 2), Jennifer is known for her skill in commercial dispute resolution and complex litigation, including employment, contract, and real estate disputes.

Anna Crary Chapman – Ranked in Native American Law (Band 2), Anna is recognized for her work advising clients on matters involving tribal law, ANCSA-related issues, and subsistence and fisheries issues.

Michelle Boutin – Recognized in Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Band 1), Michelle is one of Alaska’s most experienced bankruptcy attorneys, representing lenders and creditors in complex bankruptcies and commercial insolvency matters.

Robert H. Hume, Jr. – Recognized in Corporate/M&A (Band 2), Bob brings deep experience in mergers and acquisitions, financing, and restructuring. He is a trusted advisor in navigating the intersection between Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and a wide range of corporate, transactional, and other business matters.

 

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is pleased to announce that three lawyers have joined the firm. Kyla Lucey, Michael Partrick, and Jed Ullrich each bring a unique perspective, and their education and experience will strengthen the firm’s legal services specifically in Alaska Native law, environment and natural resources law, trusts and estates, real estate, and business law.

Kyla Lucey

Kyla Lucey graduated from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. During law school, she worked internationally, published articles on international human rights issues, and interned with the State of Alaska Department of Law. After graduation, she clerked for the Honorable Adolf Zeman at the Alaska Superior Court. Kyla will focus her practice on business law, real estate, and environment and natural resources.

 

Michael Partrick

Michael Partrick joins LBB after clerking for the Honorable Judge Wheeles at the Alaska Superior Court at Anchorage. He graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law, with honors, and was awarded the Order of the Coif. While in law school, he was the student director of the business planning practicum and an article editor on the Editorial Board of the University of Wyoming’s Law Review. He will continue his interest in business law at LBB as well as focus on estate planning, real estate, tax, and civil litigation.

 

Jed Ullrich

Jed Ullrich is a lifelong Alaskan whose great-grandparents homesteaded before statehood. He was an LBB Summer Associate in 2024, and we are thrilled to welcome him back. Jed earned his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2025 and recently passed the Alaska Bar exam and is pending admission to the Alaska Bar. He brings a wealth of Alaskan life experience in the fields of construction, fishing, and manufacturing. He will focus on Alaska Native Law, environment and natural resources, labor and employment, and municipal law.

At Landye Bennett Blumstein, we have built our practice around great lawyers who can help individuals, corporations, and communities navigate complex legal landscapes. We are excited to welcome these associates to the firm and are eager to watch their careers develop as they extend the high-quality legal services LBB offers.

We are proud to announce that the firm has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms,® earning rankings in seven practice areas across Alaska. This recognition underscores the firm’s long‑standing dedication to delivering excellent legal counsel throughout the state.

Tier 1
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Native American Law
Real Estate Law
Tax Law

Tier 2
Mergers and Acquisitions Law

 

We are pleased to announce that ten LBB attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the oldest peer-reviewed publication in the legal profession. We are especially excited that four attorneys have been ranked for the first time! This demonstrates our dedication to fostering professional growth and career advancement for our attorneys and our commitment to legal excellence.

The following attorneys are recognized:

2026 Best Lawyers
Philip Blumstein
Michelle L. Boutin
Jennifer M. Coughlin
Joshua D. Hodes
Robert H. Hume, Jr.
Karl Kaufman
Lauren Sommer*
Benjamin Spiess*

2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Alexander Kubitz*
Andy Erickson*

 

*Recognized for the first time in the 2026 edition

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is pleased to announce that Dezi Robb has joined the firm, bringing her wide-ranging experience in employment law, business litigation, and labor matters to LBB’s legal team.

Dezi joins with a proven record of success representing both employers and individuals on complex employment disputes, workplace investigations, non-compete and employment agreements, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) matters, and separation negotiations. In addition, she has extensive experience guiding clients through liability and tort-based claims, and is known for her pragmatic, client-centered approach to risk management, compliance, hiring, discipline, and termination.

Dezi earned a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law and holds a B.A. from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. She is licensed to practice law in Oregon, where she started her legal career, and Alaska where she is glad to serve fellow Alaskans for many years to come.

We’re proud to announce that several Landye Bennett Blumstein attorneys have been recognized among Alaska’s Legal Elite 2025, as featured in the August issue of Alaska Business Magazine. Each is named by their peers for delivering exceptional legal expertise across Alaska.

Congratulations to Philip Blumstein, Michelle Boutin, Jennifer Coughlin, Anna Chapman Crary, Andy Erickson, Joshua Hodes, Robert Hume, Doug Karet, Karl Iverson Kaufman, Alexander Kubitz, Matt Mead, Bruce Moore, Jackson Morawski, Leslie Need, Lauren E. Sommer, Ben Spiess, and River Sterne!

Landye Bennett Blumstein is proud to be recognized in the 2025 Chambers USA Guide for six practice areas and five distinguished attorneys in Alaska. These achievements showcase our preeminence in Alaska legal services and reflect our dedication to delivering exceptional legal counsel tailored to the unique needs of clients across Alaska.

Firm Department Rankings

Corporate/M&A: Band 2 – Acknowledged for our broad corporate expertise, with a focus on securities, tax, and M&A. Our team includes a solid bench of practitioners with experience in acting for both Alaska Native Corporations and other local entities.

Litigation – General Commercial: Band 3 – We are well-regarded for our team of litigators in Alaska’s legal market. The firm has experience across a range of areas, including administrative and civil litigation, as well as insurance-related disputes.

Native American Law: Band 1 – We are proud to be top-ranked in this inaugural listing for Alaska. LBB regularly works with Alaska Native Corporations and those working with ANCs on corporate affairs, real estate transactions, Alaska Native law issues, and M&A. We also work with tribes and other public sector organizations. LBB operates the ANCSA Resource Center, a website offering free access to legal decisions, statutes, and commentary on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Real Estate: Band 2 – We handle a variety of real estate, land use, and construction matters, including commercial developments, leasing, financing, and title insurance issues. We provide additional experience in environmental due diligence and boundary disputes.

Individual Attorney Rankings

Phil Blumstein: Distinguished across three categories: Band 1 in Corporate/M&A and Native American Law, plus Band 2 in Real Estate. Phil is a trusted advisor to a wide range of clients, including major public and private entities and Alaska Native Corporations. Phil is known for his sharp legal acumen, strategic thinking, and ability to navigate complex issues on behalf of his clients, especially at their intersections with Alaska Native Law.

Michelle Boutin: Band 1 in Bankruptcy/Restructuring for her consistently strong representation of commercial collection and lender representation. Michelle is one of Alaska’s most experienced bankruptcy practitioners, helping creditors protect their rights in both restructuring and liquidation bankruptcies.

Jennifer Coughlin: Band 2 in Litigation: General Commercial for her expertise in complex commercial litigation. Jennifer helps clients achieve their goals in a range of large-scale disputes, including employment, contract, and real property disputes. She has helped her clients achieve success in numerous arbitrations, trials, and appellate proceedings in multiple state and federal courts.

Joshua D. Hodes: Band 2 in Real Estate for his handling of commercial real estate transactions. His practice covers acquisition, purchase and sale, development, financing, office, retail and industrial leasing and other commercial real estate projects in and outside of Alaska.

Robert H. Hume, Jr.: Band 2 in Corporate/M&A for his notable strength in corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, financing, restructuring, and complex real estate deals. Bob is a leading expert on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and is trusted by clients across Alaska in navigating the intersection between ANCSA and a wide range of corporate, transactional, and other business matters.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP announces that Ben Spiess, a partner at the firm, has been selected as a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL). This honor is extended to attorneys who demonstrate exceptional legal service to clients, colleagues, and the profession. Spiess joins a distinguished group of attorneys across the United States and is the only ACREL member in private practice in Alaska.

Founded in 1978, ACREL brings together the nation’s leading real estate lawyers to promote high standards of professional and ethical conduct. To be eligible for membership, attorneys must have 10 or more years of real estate practice and be active in their legal community. Membership is by invitation only and follows a rigorous selection process that recognizes sustained excellence in the practice of real estate law, as well as significant involvement in the profession through speaking, writing, teaching, or bar leadership.

Spiess co-chairs the real estate section of the Alaska Bar Association. His practice focuses on real estate and lands, including leasing, purchase and sales, financing, development, joint ventures, investment partnerships and related securities law matters, and providing legal opinions. He has extensive experience advising clients in complex real estate matters, including those involving Alaska Native Corporations and tribal entities. Spiess is licensed to practice in Alaska and Washington state.
For more information about the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, visit https://www.acrel.org.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is pleased to announce that Larry B. Monsma has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Larry’s practice will focus on civil litigation, construction law, insurance litigation, and liability defense.

Larry is an accomplished and seasoned trial litigator with over 20 years of courtroom experience, conducting over 150 criminal jury trials and delivering winning verdicts through well-planned, logical, and compelling arguments. He brings a deep knowledge of trial preparation and advocacy in complex cases.

Larry earned a J.D. with honors from the John F. Kennedy University, School of Law and a B.S. with honors in Criminal Justice from California State University, Long Beach. He has worked for the Alaska Attorney General’s Office, the Municipality of Anchorage, and county agencies across California.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is pleased to announce that Alexander J. Kubitz became a partner of the firm, effective January 1, 2025.

Since joining LBB in 2019, Alex has demonstrated exceptional service to our clients across multiple practice areas, including Alaska Native law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, and real estate development and transactions.

Alex was born and raised in Alaska. Prior to pursuing a career in law, he was a legislative aide in the Alaska State Legislature. He graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School cum laude in 2018. After graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Yvonne Lamoureux of the Alaska Superior Court in Anchorage.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is pleased to announce that River E.M. Sterne has joined the firm as an associate attorney. The new hire further strengthens the firm’s legal services especially Alaska Native law, subsistence and natural resources law, transactional, and litigation practice areas.

River was born and raised in Anchorage and graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School summa cum laude in 2023. As a law student, River served as Submissions Editor of the Lewis & Clark Law Review and Secretary of the Portland National Lawyers Guild chapter. He also clerked for the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government, worked as a summer associate at Kanji & Katzen, P.L.L.C. in Seattle, and externed for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Following law school, River clerked for Justice Dario Borghesan on the Alaska Supreme Court.

At Landye Bennett Blumstein, we have built our practice around great lawyers who are leaders in their respective fields. We are excited for River’s future and how he will extend the high-quality legal services we offer our clients and community.

As a testament to our unwavering commitment to legal excellence, Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP has been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms® and ranked in eight practice areas in Alaska:

Tier 1: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Construction Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Tier 2: Litigation – Bankruptcy, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Native American Law
Tier 3: Litigation – Labor and Employment.

We are also pleased to announce that five lawyers have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and one lawyer in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

• Philip Blumstein – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Native American Law
• Michelle L. Boutin – Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Joshua D. Hodes – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Construction Law, and Real Estate Law
• Robert H. Hume, Jr. – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Real Estate Law
• Karl Kaufman – Tax Law
• Ryan Thomas – Corporate Law, Ones to Watch

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. The awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback we receive from these top lawyers.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP seeks a labor and employment attorney and an associate attorney to join the firm.

We are a leading law firm, voted Best in Alaska, with a strong reputation for excellence and a commitment to clients. We serve Alaska Native Corporations, Tribes, municipalities, non-profits, and private businesses. Our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional results for our clients while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Read more about each position on the Careers Page.

It is with deep sadness that we announce our partner and colleague Kim Dunn passed away in September 2024. Kim is deeply missed by her colleagues, clients, and friends.

Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP is pleased to announce Joseph Levesque and Noah Star have joined the firm. These changes will strengthen our municipal law and natural resources law practice groups.

Joseph Levesque joins LBB after leading Levesque Law Group for twelve years. He represents Alaskan municipalities and private clients throughout the state with a focus on municipal law, civil litigation, simple wills, and labor and employment law. Joe believes in a simple philosophy that clients from every sector have the right to successful, competent, and effective legal services, which aligns with the firm’s existing commitments and makes a fantastic addition to LBB.

Joe began his legal career working in civil practice. He clerked for United States Magistrate Judge John D. Roberts for the District of Alaska then served as a prosecutor for the Alaska District Attorney’s office in Kenai. Levesque became Borough Attorney for the North Slope Borough before shifting to private practice to serve numerous municipal, business, and individual clients across the state.

Noah Star joins LBB as an associate and brings nearly a decade of work and life experience in Alaska. At the firm, he will focus on natural resources law, fisheries law, Alaska Native law, administrative law, and civil litigation.  

Noah began his legal career clerking for Justice Jennifer Stuart Henderson on the Alaska Supreme Court. Noah then served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Law Civil Division, as a Civil Division Fellow and in the Natural Resources Section. Before he was a lawyer, Noah worked for Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in Sitka and Juneau.

At Landye Bennett Blumstein, we have built our practice around great lawyers who are leaders in their respective fields. We are excited for the future as these talented attorneys help extend the high-quality legal services we offer our clients and community.