Gov. Bill Walker has appointed defense attorney Susan M. Carney of Fairbanks to the Alaska Supreme Court.
Carney is long-time defense attorney with the state’s Office of Public Advocacy.
“Susan brings a unique perspective to the bench. Her extensive work with clients in rural regions has given her insight on issues important to the Alaska Native community,” Walker said in a press release. “From reading the many letters of recommendation, it is clear Susan is highly respected, as she has been praised by members of opposing counsel.”
Carney will replace the five-person high court’s only female member, Justice Dana Fabe. Fabe’s last day is May 31; she’s retiring after more than 20 years with the court.
Walker announced Carney’s appointment at the Alaska Bar Association’s annual convention in Anchorage on Thursday.
“Once my head stops spinning, I look forward to the opportunity to do my very best to follow in the footsteps of Justice Fabe and Justice Rabinowitz and make Alaska the best it can possibly be,” Carney told the convention.
Walker said Carney has participated in more than 150 civil and criminal trials. She’ll leave her position as a supervising attorney in the Office of Public Advocacy in Fairbanks, where she has represented adults and juveniles in cases where a public defender isn’t available. She had also spent 10 years as a public defender.
Carney’s start date hasn’t been set yet. A swearing in ceremony will be planned.
According to the governor’ s office, Carney has a bachelor’s degree in history & literature from Harvard-Radcliffe College. She graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School. She also studied at Harvard Divinity School. She began practicing law in Alaska 27 years ago, when she clerked for Supreme Court Justice Jay Rabinowitz.
In the Fairbanks area, Carney is also an active volunteer. She coaches youth soccer, has served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska and Boys and Girls Club of the Tanana Valley.