Woodman appointed to Palmer Superior Court

ANCHORAGE – Governor Bill Walker announced the appointment of new judges to the Juneau District and Palmer Superior Courts today. Kirsten Swanson of Juneau will be the newest judge on the Juneau District Court, while Jonathan Woodman of Eagle River will serve on the Palmer Superior Court.

Jonathan Woodman has practiced law for 23 years, and currently serves as a Senior Assistant Attorney General and State Ethics Attorney for Alaska. Mr. Woodman received his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from MIT in 1990, and his JD from Ohio State University College of Law in 1993. He previously worked in the Office of the Ohio Public Defender from 1997-1999, and for the Alaska law firm Guess & Rudd P.C. from 1999 to 2008. In addition to his work with the State of Alaska, Mr. Woodman provides pro bono legal advice at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year. He is a three-time Jeopardy!champion. Mr. Woodman will replace retired Palmer Superior Court Judge Eric Smith.

“Jon Woodman is greatly admired by his colleagues at the Department of Law, and was described by one fellow attorney as an intellectual powerhouse,” said Governor Walker. “Jon has provided sage counsel as the state’s ethics attorney over the years. While his departure leaves big shoes to fill in the Department of Law, I know Alaskans will be equally well served in his new capacity as superior court judge.”