Governor Sean Parnell appointed Anchorage attorney Peter Maassen to the Alaska Supreme Court on Aug. 10. Maassen is the 22nd justice appointed to the Court, and he replaces Justice Morgan Christen, who was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
Maassen came to Alaska in 1980 with his wife, and has been in private practice most of his career. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Hope College and his juris doctorate at the University of Michigan Law School. He is currently a partner at the general civil firm Ingaldson, Maassen & Fitzgerald PC, which represents individuals, businesses, government entities, and non-profits in litigation. Prior to that, he worked at Burr, Pease & Kurtz PC, practicing as an associate and eventually as a partner.
He is also a member of the Anchorage Youth Court Board of Directors and the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors.
“Peter’s thoughtful, humble, and articulate manner will be an asset to the Supreme Court and the Alaskans it serves,” Governor Parnell said. “He has strong legal writing skills, intelligence, and a background that includes operating a small business.”
The Alaska Supreme Court serves as the appeals court for the state’s District and Superior Courts as well as the Alaska Court of Appeals. The chief justice and four associate justices hear cases in Anchorage on a monthly basis and in Fairbanks and Juneau on a quarterly basis. The court also administers the state’s judicial system.
Maassen was selected from a list of two applicants nominated by the Alaska Judicial Council.
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