Summit Law Group PLLC

19 Best Lawyers awards

Summit Law Group PLLC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Appellate Practice Arbitration Bet-the-Company Litigation Criminal Defense: General Practice Criminal Defense: White-Collar Litigation - Environmental

Biography

Jeff maintains an active trial and appellate practice, focusing on complex civil and criminal matters. He has substantial trial experience, before judges and juries, and has appeared as counsel and argued more than 75 appeals to the Alaska Supreme Court, Alaska Court of Appeals, Idaho Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Jeff's trial experience encompasses a broad range of matters, including environmental and antitrust cases, oil and gas disputes, constitutional claims, commercial and corporate litigation, and insurance and personal injury matters.

Jeff’s criminal practice focuses on corporate and environmental matters. He has defended companies, corporate officers, and employees in most of the significant environmental matters prosecuted in Alaska, including the Exxon Valdez grounding, the prosecution of timber companies, passenger cruise ship operators, and airline operators for Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act violations, and state and federal environmental prosecutions of oil companies drilling on Alaska’s North Slope. Jeff also has handled public corruption prosecutions, perjury cases, federal false statement and false claims charges, and Alaska’s only impeachment inquiry.

Before joining Summit Law Group, Jeff was the founding partner at Feldman Orlansky & Sanders in Anchorage, Alaska. Jeff is also a faculty member at the University of Washington School of Law, has served as an instructor for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, and is a frequent CLE lecturer.
Summit Law Group PLLC

19 Best Lawyers awards

Summit Law Group PLLC logo

Overview

  • Northeastern University, JD, graduated 1975
  • Northeastern University, BA, graduated 1972

  • Alaska, Alaska Bar Association
  • Washington, Washington State Bar Association
  • Rhode Island, Rhode Island Bar Association

  • American Academy of Appellate Lawyers - Fellow
  • American Board of Trial Advocates - Member
  • American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • American Law Institute - Member
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Member
  • University of Washington School of Law - Faculty Member
  • Woodrow Wilson - Fellow

  • Alaska - Supreme Court
  • Alaska, Alaska Bar Association
  • Washington, Washington State Bar Association
  • Rhode Island, Rhode Island Bar Association
  • American Academy of Appellate Lawyers - Fellow
  • American Board of Trial Advocates - Member
  • American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • American Law Institute - Member
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Member
  • University of Washington School of Law - Faculty Member
  • Woodrow Wilson - Fellow
  • Northeastern University, JD, graduated 1975
  • Northeastern University, BA, graduated 1972
  • Alaska - Supreme Court

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Appellate Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Criminal Defense: General Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Arbitration Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2011 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Appellate Practice, Seattle (2025)
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice, Anchorage (2014)
  • Arbitration, Anchorage (2012)
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Anchorage (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Appellate Practice
  • Arbitration
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Litigation - Environmental
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Personal Injury Litigation
Special Focus:
  • White Collar Criminal Defense
Awards:
  • Alaska Bar Association Pro Bono Award (2013)
  • Alaska Bar Association Human Rights Award (2013)
  • ACLU - 40 Heroes of Constitutional Issues Award (2011)
  • Planned Parenthood - John Rader Award (2010)
  • ACLU Public Service Award (1993 & 2005)
  • Alaska Bar Association Professionalism Award (1998)
  • United States District Court for the District of Alaska Public Service Award (1987 & 1985)

Case History

Cases
  • State of Alaska v. BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc.
Lead trial counsel on behalf of BP in claims by State of Alaska arising out of 2006 oil spill on Alaska's North Slope.
  • In re: Acquisition by Lynden Inc. of Northland Transportation, Co.
Counsel for Lynden in connection with antitrust review of proposed acquisition. Acquisition obtained court approval.
  • In re Polar Bear Endangered Species Act Listing
Counsel for Arctic Slope Regional Corporation in connection with challenges to listing of polar bears as an endangered species. Position advanced by ASRC was adopted by the court.
  • United States v. BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc.
Lead trial counsel for BP in probation revocation proceedings initiated by the federal government. Following a two-week trial, government's petition to revoke probation was dismissed by the federal district court.
  • Alaskans for Fair Redistricting v. Parnell
Represented coalition of Alaska Native, environmental, and citizen groups challenging Alaska reapportionment plan.
  • Alaska Rent-A-Car v. Avis Budget Group
Successfully represented franchisee at trial and on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court in breach of contract claim against franchisor.
  • Law Project for Psychiatric Rights v. Walmart
Successfully represented Wal-Mart in trial court and on appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in case challenging sale of FDA approved medications for off-label use.

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