Assembly hears pitches from two firms vying to be Kodiak Island Borough attorney

The Kodiak Island Borough assembly held interviews on Oct. 30 with two law firms shortlisted to replace the borough attorney under a contract that expires Nov. 30, 2025. Staff said proposals were solicited in August, returned Sept. 26, and the mayor and assembly had been asked to score the responses before interviews.

Why it matters: the borough attorney provides day-to-day legal advice on ordinances, procurement, land use, personnel, litigation and other municipal matters. The assembly asked targeted questions about municipal practice, conflicts and response time to staff requests.

What each firm told the assembly

- Germaine, Dunigan & Owens (JDO): Max Holmquist, presenting for JDO, described the firm as a nearly 50-year Alaska practice with a dedicated municipal team. Holmquist said the firm currently serves boroughs and cities across Alaska and that he would be the boroughs primary point of contact. He listed proposed team members with municipal specialties (labor/employment, litigation, public contracting) and said JDO had proposed a reduced hourly rate "because we know that financial times are not good for municipalities across the state right now." Holmquist said the firm frequently interprets Title 29 and handles municipal litigation, police personnel matters and public-records cases.

- Landy Bennett Blumstein: Leslie Mead and Jackson…