In 2009, four Anchorage defense lawyers, Rich Curtner, Darrel Gardner, Andrew Lambert, and Steve Wells, decided to create a new professional association to serve the needs of criminal defense attorneys in Alaska. The Alaska Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers was incorporated on November 30, 2009. With well over 100 members having since joined, AKACDL is now Alaska's preeminent criminal defense organization. First and foremost, AKACDL's goal is continuing legal education, for new attorneys as well as seasoned practitioners, and for public defenders as well as private practitioners. AKACDL presents an annual "All*Stars Conference" featuring numerous nationally-recognized speakers at a grand two-day event in Girdwood. Throughout the year AKACDL also offer half-day educational seminars, as well as luncheon meetings, all free of charge, or very reasonably priced. AKACDL works with other defense organizations to promote CLE opportunities for its members.

• Our website (www.akacdl.org) includes members-only access to legal resources such as briefs, motions and memoranda, as well as important legal links and news.
• Our members have access to our confidential electronic listserve, providing a daily resource for exchanging knowledge and communications via email.
• AKACDL is an official Affiliate Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
• AKACDL is involved in Juneau. Senator Hollis French has already met with several founding members of AKACDL and has pledged to listen to the unique concerns of the criminal defense constituency. We will actively lobby against the death penalty, and on behalf of legislative changes that benefit our practice, our clients, and the criminal justice system in Alaska, in both state and federal court.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact any of the following individuals:

• Wally Tetlow, President and Member of the Board of Directors, (907) 274-4621
• Nikki Swayne, Vice-President/Secretary and Member of the Board of Directors, (907) 707-1725
• Darrel Gardner, Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors, (907) 278-1940
• Rich Curtner, Member of the Board of Directors, (907) 646-3412
• Andrew Lambert, Member of the Board of Directors, (907) 276-2135
• Steve Wells, Member of the Board of Directors, (907) 279-3557
• Cindy Strout, Member of the Board of Directors, (907) 276-0377
• James Christie, Member of the Board of Directors, (907) 274-4621
• Morgan White, Member of the Board of Directors, (907) 334-4400