Overview
Jeff Feldman is an experienced trial and appellate advocate, having tried more than 100 cases before judges and juries and argued more than 125 appeals to the Alaska Supreme Court, Idaho Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Supreme Court and state and federal trial courts in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Texas, Arizona, the District of Columbia.
Known throughout his long career for responding quickly and effectively to client needs, for decades Jeff has been entrusted with high visibility litigation – defending companies as well as their employees, officers, and directors in both civil and criminal cases.
Often handling cases involving significant public policy and/or political implications, Jeff’s trial and appellate experience includes:
- Environmental litigation
- Constitutional claims
- Oil and gas disputes
- Antitrust litigation
- Public corruption and perjury prosecutions
- Federal false statement and false claims charges
- Alaska’s only impeachment inquiry
- General commercial and corporate disputes
Clients. Jeff’s clients have included global multinational corporations – including BP and Federal Express – as well as Trident Seafoods, the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, telecommunications and health care companies, timber companies, cruise ship and airline operators, public universities, and small- and medium-size businesses, individuals, and citizen groups.
A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Jeff now balances his commitment to clients with teaching and mentoring the next generation of lawyers. As a professor of law at the University of Washington School of Law since 2014, Jeff has received the school’s Philip A. Trautman Professor of the Year Award three times.
Before joining Summit Law Group, Jeff was the founding partner at Feldman Orlansky & Sanders in Anchorage, Alaska.
Credentials
Education
- Northeastern University (J.D., 1975; B.A., 1972, with honors)
Admissions
- Washington State
- Alaska
- Rhode Island
- United States District Court for the Districts of Washington (Western), Alaska, Rhode Island, Texas, and District of Columbia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Clerkships
- Justice Edmond W. Burke, Alaska Supreme Court (1975-76)
Awards & Accolades
- Four-time recipient of the Philip A. Trautman Professor of the Year Award, University of Washington School of Law
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (1991 – 2025) for work in Appellate Practice; Arbitration; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Criminal Defense: General Practice; Criminal Defense: White-Collar; and Litigation - Environmental
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® Lawyer of the Year, 2025
- Included in Washington Super Lawyers (2016 - 2022)
- Ranked as Band One for litigation in Alaska in Chambers USA (2017-2022)
- Named in the Top Ten in Alaska Super Lawyers
- Listed as Alaska Local Litigation Star in Benchmark Litigation (2013-2019)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated (Preeminent - 5.0 out of 5.0)
- Named Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense in Anchorage in The Best Lawyers in America (2014)
- Alaska Bar Association Pro Bono Award (2013)
- Alaska Bar Association Human Rights Award (2013) (for 10 years of work on Texas death penalty case)
- Named Lawyer of the Year for Arbitration in Anchorage in The Best Lawyers in America (2012)
- ACLU 40 Heroes of Constitutional Issues Award (2011)
- Named Lawyer of the Year for White-Collar Criminal Defense in Anchorage in The Best Lawyers in America (2011)
- Planned Parenthood John Rader Award (2010) (for 15 years of work in defense of reproductive rights)
- ACLU Public Service Award (2005 & 1993)
- Alaska Bar Association Professionalism Award (1998)
- United States District Court for the District of Alaska Public Service Award (1987 & 1985)
Memberships
- Professor of Law, University of Washington School of Law
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
- Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
- Woodrow Wilson Fellow
- American Law Institute
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- American Judicature Society
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- American Bar Association
- Rhode Island Bar Association
- Anchorage Bar Association
- American Inns of Court
- Alaska Supreme Court Standing Committee on Civil Rules (2006-present)
- U.S. District of Alaska Magistrate Selection Panel (2006)
- Chairman, Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct (1992-2005)
- President (1993-1996) & Member (1992-1998), Board of Governors, Alaska Academy of Trial Lawyers
- President (1989-1990) & Member (1986-1992), Board of Governors, Alaska Bar Association
- Alaska Governor's Gas Policy Council (2001-2002)
- Alaska Governor's Task Force on Civil Liability Reform (1996)
- Chairman, Alaska Supreme Court Standing Committee on Criminal Rules (1984-1989)
- Reporter, Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Panel for the United States District Court for the District of Alaska (1991-1994)
- Alaska Supreme Court Rule of Law Committee (2001-present)
- Alaska Supreme Court Committee on Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions (1979-1985)
- Alaska Committee of Bar Examiners (1981-1986; 1995-1997)
- Attorney Representative and Member, Judicial Screening & Evaluation Committee, Judicial Conference of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (1983-1987)
- Director of the National Council, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (1994-present)
- Governor's Appointee, Alaska Humanities Forum Board (1995-1997)
- President, Board of Directors, Family Connection (1979-1985)
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Presenter, “Alaska State Court Appeals 101,” Alaska Appellate Courts & Alaska Bar Association (2015)
- “Survey of State Class Action Law,” Chapter on Alaska Law (2006-2013 editions)
- Presenter, “Appellate Strategies” (2012)
- Presenter, “Civil Trial Practice” (2012)
- Presenter, “Off the Record with the Court of Appeals” (2012)
- Presenter, “Oral Argument Presentation” (2011)
- Presenter, “Terrorism and Civil Liberties” (2011)
- Presenter, ”Off the Record with the Supreme Court” (2009)
- Presenter, “Appellate Practice” (2008)
- Presenter, “Litigating Constitutional Issues” (2008)
- Presenter, “Media and Law - First Amendment and Fair Trade Problems” (2008)
- Presenter, “Oral Argument Preparation” (2008)
- Presenter, “Attorney Client Privilege” (2007)
- Presenter, “Due Process” (2007)
- Presenter, “Evidence” (2007)
- Presenter, “Privacy” (2007)
- Presenter, “Corporate Ethics and Problems” (2006)
- “Justice Rabinowitz and Personal Freedom: Evolving a Constitutional Framework,” 15 Duke-Alaska L. Rev. 1 (June 1998)
- “Report of the Civil Justice Advisory Group for the United States District Court for the District of Alaska” (1991)
- “Compelling Testimony In Alaska: The Coming Rejection of Use and Derivative Use Immunity,” 3 Duke-Alaska L. Rev. 229 (1986)
- “Certifying Professional Competence: The Alaska Experiment,” 52 The Bar Examiner 4 (1983)
- “The Fifth Amendment, Self-Incrimination and Foreign Prosecution: The Saga of the Ryuyo Maru,” 11 U.C.L.A.-Alaska L. Rev. 119 (1982)
- “Criminal Procedure In Alaska,” 9 U.C.L.A.-Alaska L. Rev. 109 (1980)
- “Search and Seizure In Alaska: A Comprehensive Review,” 7 U.C.L.A.-Alaska L. Rev. 75 (1977)
- “Pre-Trial Diversion of the Mentally Retarded Offender,” Massachusetts Bar Association Report (1975)
Experience
Representative Matters
- Northern Dynasties Minerals Ltd. vs. United States Environmental Protection Agency et al.: Lead Counsel for Alaska Native intervenors
- 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.
- Kirk v. Carpenenti and Alaska Judicial Council: Successfully represented Chief Justice of Alaska Supreme Court and members of Alaska Judicial Council in trial court and on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in case challenging Alaska’s merit judicial selection system.
- Alaska Communications System v. Crest: Represented telecommunications company in connection with breach of contract claim arising out of installation of subsea cable system.
- Alakayak v. Trident Seafood Corporation: Trial counsel for Trident in four-month antitrust trial seeking more than $1 billion in damages. Jury verdict returned in favor of Trident.
- Anchorage Chrysler Center, Inc. v. Daimler Chrysler Motor Car Co.: Successfully represented Daimler Chrysler at trial and on appeal in breach of contract claim brought by local dealer.