Gov. Bill Walker has named a local attorney to replace Judge Keith Levy on the Juneau District Court bench. Kirsten Swanson was named Tuesday in a decision announced by email.
“I am pleased to appoint Kirsten Swanson to the Juneau District Court,” Walker said in a prepared statement. “Serving in Alaska’s judicial branch requires deep knowledge of the law and respect for the many different cultures and backgrounds in our state. Kirsten’s vast experience as both a public and private attorney gives her a perspective that will serve Southeast Alaska well, and make her an excellent addition to our court system.”
The Alaska Judicial Council had suggested magistrate judge Michael Franciosi and Juneau attorney Julie Willoughby as additional options, but Walker selected Swanson instead.
According to a survey of Alaska Bar Association members conducted by the Judicial Council, Swanson had the highest overall rating (4.4 on a 5.0 scale) among the 10 people who initially applied for the post.
Juneau city attorney Amy Mead, not recommended by the Judicial Council, scored a 3.7, Willoughby had a 4.0, Franciosi was rated a 4.3, and Juneau defense attorney Kevin Higgins received a 4.0.
Swanson, who has a small office in a house on Harris Street where she defends Alaskans in criminal cases, received her law degree from Gonzaga in 1995. She previously served in the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate General and in the Alaska Public Defender’s Office in Juneau.
In a statement provided to the Judicial Council, Swanson said she has traveled extensively overseas and enjoys “camping in remote locations and meeting new people. I especially enjoy travel to Africa, New Zealand and Iceland where the people are fascinating and the landscape is rugged.”
Judge Levy announced his retirement in April, effective Oct. 31.
Correction: The initial version of this story gave the incorrect rating for Michael Franciosi. It is 4.3 out of a 5-point scale, not 3.7.
