Jeffery officially named Barrow Superior Court judge

TAMAR BEN-YOSEF

June 05, 2008 at 10:50AM AKST

Barrow’s Superior Court Judge Michael I. Jeffery can breathe a little easier now.

On Wednesday, May 28, he received a call from the office of Gov. Sarah Palin letting him know that he will officially continue serving as judge for another term.

For the past three months, Jeffery has been serving as judge pro tem, sitting temporarily in Barrow after a Nov. 9, 2007, decision by the Alaska Supreme Court ordered him to vacate his seat at the end of his previous term.

That was the price Jeffery paid for missing the deadline for filing for retention.
In an ongoing case of the state v. Jeffery, which began in 2004, the Division of Elections protested a decision to put the judge’s name on the 2004 general election ballot for retention.

“There are clear requirements within the law setting out the filing requirements and deadlines for all candidates. The Division of Elections followed the law and is pleased that the Alaska Supreme Court agreed,” Brewster said following the Nov. 9 decision.

“It is imperative that the division enforce those requirements consistently in order to conduct fair elections.”

Jeffery vacated his seat Jan. 31 and reapplied for judgeship while continuing to serve as judge temporarily.

The decision by the governor lifts that temporary status.

“It was wonderful news,” Jeffery said in a phone interview. “It was the last step in a very long process of becoming a judicial candidate.”

Though technically not much has changed for Jeffery, who continues his daily tasks as a judge, l he says knowing he remains on the court permanently does feel a little different.

“I am now reaffirmed instead of being a fill-in,” he said.

In his interview with staff from the governor’s office, Jeffery said that he appreciated the governor and all the people involved in the long process of elections putting in the time required for making such decisions.

Jeffery, 63, has lived in Barrow for 31 years and has a long record of legal service to Barrow and North Slope villages.

Originally from Los Angeles, he graduated from Stanford University and Yale Law School before moving to Barrow in January 1977.

Jeffrey has specialized training in alcohol/drug addiction and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

“Michael brings a wealth of academic and professional experience to the bench,” Gov. Palin said is a statement released May 30.

“The people of Barrow and the Alaska judicial system will be well-served by his expertise and passion for the law.”

Aside from serving full time as judge, Jeffery is an active member of the Rotary Club International and a participant of faith activities and member of an Eskimo dance group.

He and his wife, Esther, have three grown children. The family does commercial setnet salmon fishing each summer near Dillingham.

Palin chose Jeffery from a list of candidates submitted to her by the Alaska Judicial Council. She made the selection from the council’s list within 45 days, as required by the Alaska Constitution.

The Judicial Council is an independent citizen’s commission created by the Alaska Constitution.

Tamar Ben-Yosef can be reached at (907) 348-2419 or toll free at (800) 770-9830, ext. 419.