Compensation for disabling injuries focus of course on Torts, Worker’s Compensation, & Insurance Law (LEGL/JUST A380)

There are 26 million disabling injuries every year in the U.S.—and the economic cost of those injuries reach into the hundreds of billions. Why is the compensation system for such injuries so expensive, burdensome, inadequate, and slow? Does it work to deter unsafe conduct and products? Is it possible to be both fair and administratively efficient? Torts, Worker’s Compensation, & Insurance Law (LEGL/JUST A380) will examine these questions.

Studying tort law involves a lot more than learning doctrinal rules—it integrates a fundamental understanding of the American legal system. It’s also a great way to learn some professional skills in a true-to-life setting.

This Spring 2019 elective will be held Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:45 PM.

• CRN: 37060
• Catalog description: Analyzes nature and function of the law of torts, workers' compensation, and liability insurance in the United States, as well as the role of the nonlawyer legal professional in tort litigation and workers' compensation claims. Includes ethical issues in tort, workers' compensation, and insurance cases. Practice in Alaska and the development of professional skills are emphasized. Legal specialty course.
• Registration Restrictions: Completion of LEGL A356 is strongly recommended.
• Prerequisites: LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C.

If course prerequisites are a problem, ask about a registration override.

For more info, contact Prof. Kristin Knudsen at kknudsen@alaska.edu or 786-4885.

Registration for Spring 2019 courses begins on November 12.

The Courts (JUST A374) course examines the impact of courts on law, society, and politics

Who really has the power in the court room? How did our courts evolve? What happens as a case moves through the legal system? Where do you find modern research on the courts’ impact on law, society, and politics?

Find out in the Spring 2019 course The Courts (JUST 374), to be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM.

This is a required course for the Legal Studies B.A., a selective course for the Justice B.A., and a selective course for the Paralegal AAS, PBCT.

• CRN: 31496
• Catalog description: Examines the basic components of the U.S. courts with particular emphasis on case processing through the court system and the roles of court actors. Covers the history as well as the current structure and function of the court system and assesses the gap between the ideals and the realities of court processes and practices.
• Registration restrictions: Junior or senior standing.
• Prerequisites: JUST A110 or LEGL A101.

For more info, contact Prof. Kristin Knudsen at kknudsen@alaska.edu or 786-4885.

Registration for Spring 2019 courses begins on November 12 for seniors and November 13 for juniors.

ABA approves Legal Studies Program through Aug. 2023

The Justice Center Legal Studies Program has been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) through August 2023. The Justice Center Legal Studies Program includes:

Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
Minor, Legal Studies
Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Paralegal Studies
Certificate, Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal

According to the ABA, "approved programs have demonstrated their high quality education to the lawyers and paralegals in their legal communities."

The Legal Studies Program at UAA and the Paralegal Studies Program at UAF are the only ABA-approved programs in Alaska.

2018 marks the 26th anniversary of ABA approval of UAA's program. Approval is awarded after a rigorous application and assessment process, followed by a thorough site visit by members of the Standing Committee on Paralegals.

The mission of the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals is to improve the American system of justice by establishing ABA standards for the education of paralegals and by promoting attorneys' professional, effective and ethical utilization of paralegals.

UAA Legal Studies Program graduates can be found working in law firms, state and federal agencies, corporate legal departments, the courts, Native corporations, and the private business sector, contributing to the justice system on the local, state, and federal levels.

Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., M.J.S., is the Legal Studies Program Coordinator.

Congratulations to 2017 grads!

L-R: Troy Payne, Deb Periman, Allan Barnes,
Sharon Chamard, Brad Myrstol, and Ron Everett.
Not pictured: Kristin Knudsen and Ryan Fortson

Sharon Chamard, UAA Faculty Senate President and Justice faculty, spoke at UAA commencement on Sunday and encouraged graduates to "to lift up those around you, to contribute to the betterment of the world, or just your tiny corner of it.  Do what you can to ensure that others coming behind you have the same or even better opportunities than you have had."

Read the full text of Chamard's inspiring speech below:

As President of the Faculty Senate, and on behalf of the faculty, it is my honor and privilege to congratulate all of you graduates for your success and accomplishments.

Whether this is part of your life plan hatched as a toddler and you fully expected to be sitting here today, or you are looking around in amazement, wondering how you pulled off this tremendous feat of completing a university degree, you are all now members of an elite group—those who have had the good fortune of living in a time and place that provides broad opportunities for higher education.
 
Indeed, you are part of the most educated generation in the history of the world. Did you know, for example that in 1960, shortly after Alaska became a state, only 10% of Alaskan adults had a Bachelor’s degree? That percentage has increased every year, and now we’re close to 30%. Globally, right now fewer than 10% of adults have a college degree.

With this good fortune and privilege comes a responsibility, to lift up those around you, to contribute to the betterment of the world, or just your tiny corner of it.  Do what you can to ensure that others coming behind you have the same or even better opportunities than you have had.
 
Right now, despite the festivities of the day, you may be worried about your own future, about getting a good job, and about paying back your student loans. But I guarantee you, you have what it takes to not only continue to succeed in your own life, but to help others around you succeed.  It takes persistence and commitment to get where you are today, and you can model that behavior to your siblings, your children, your coworkers, your friends, and the people in your community.

For faculty, seeing you all turn the page to your next amazing story is tremendously gratifying. We hope you will look back on this chapter of the book of your life with fondness, appreciation, and a sense of accomplishment.
 
Now, I ask my faculty colleagues to join me in recognizing you for your success and thanking you for sharing a part of your valuable life with us.
 

Justice faculty at Campus Kickoff

Dr. Brad Myrstol, Dr. Troy Payne, Prof. Deborah Periman, Dr. Ryan Fortson, and Prof. Kristin Knudsen welcomed students and answered questions about Justice programs at the 2017 Campus Kickoff.

To learn more about the programs, degrees and research at UAA's Justice Center see the UAA Justice Center website. Follow us on Facebook and at the Justice Center blog.

Fortson, Knudsen and Payne receive tenure recognition

Dr. Troy Payne

Prof. Ryan Fortson

Prof. Kristin Knudsen

Justice Center faculty Ryan Fortson, Kristin Knudsen and Troy Payne received recognition for receiving tenure from Interim UAA Provost Duane Hrncir at the College of Health All-College meeting on Thursday, August 17. The three Justice faculty, who were all promoted to Associate Professor, were the most faculty from one department in the College of Health to be awarded tenure this year. Prof. Fortson and Prof. Knudsen teach in the Justice Center's Legal Studies program. Prof. Knudsen is Legal Studies Coordinator. Dr. Payne, teaches Justice courses and is the Undergraduate Justice Coordinator. All three were granted tenure in May 2017 by then Provost, now Interim Chancellor, Sam Gingerich.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason provides feedback to students

Prof. Ryan Fortson and U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason
(Photo by Prof. Kirstin Knudsen)

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason, the first female federal judge for the District of Alaska, listened to oral arguments by students in Prof. Ryan Fortson's Trial and Advanced Litigation Processes (LEGL A487) final exam on Friday, May 5. The students had drafted a legal memorandum of law and proposed order - similar to a pleading which would be filed in court – on a hypothetical motion before the court and defended their briefing to Judge Gleason, who provided feedback.

Justice faculty celebrate 2017 graduates

Justice faculty L-R: Dr. Brad Myrstol, Prof. Deborah Periman, Dr. Ron Everett, Dr. Marny Rivera, Dr. Cory Lepage,
 Dr. Allan Barnes, Prof. Kristin Knudsen, Dr. Andre Rosay, and Dr. Sharon Chamard. Not pictured: Prof. Ryan Fortson,
 who was performing on the French horn in the pit orchestra during UAA's Commencement. Sunday, May 7.

Congratulations 2017 graduates! Best wishes on your future success!

Students take sides in wrongful death mock trial

Mark Heinrichs gives his opening statement in mock trial.

Prof. Kristin Knudsen judges mock trial in Prof. Ryan Fortson's Trial and
Advanced Litigation Processes class (LEGL487).

Students in Prof. Ryan Fortson's Trial and Advanced Litigation Processes class recently participated in a mock trial. Students performed all elements of the civil wrongful death trial, including opening and closing statements, examination of witnesses, laying the foundation for expert witnesses, and making objections. Prof. Kristin Knudsen, Legal Studies faculty who has spent more than eight years as an administrative law judge, served as judge for the trial. Judge Knudsen found mostly for the defense, although did find for the plaintiff on a couple of points.

Justice Center takes third place at Anchorage Youth Court 2017 Gavel Games.

Justice faculty (L-R) Dr. Sharon Chamard, Prof. Ryan
Fortson, and Prof. Troy Payne participated in
Gavel Games with Prof. Kristin Knudsen (not pictured).
Photo by Prof. Knudsen.

Lucy Cuddy Hall was filled with 30 teams of legal eagles and youth court supporters engaged in a battle of intelligence and arcane knowledge on Friday, March 3. The Justice Center, fielding its first team, battled for first with the Anchorage Bar Association through four rounds, but slipped to third behind Team Morrison and the Anchorage Bar after a round of questions on Olympic history.  Who knew bowling was an Olympic demonstration sport?

The Justice Center was a co-sponsor of the annual Gavel Games, the largest fundraiser for Anchorage Youth Court (AYC). AYC provides an opportunity for students to serve as attorneys, judges, bailiffs, clerks and jurors in cases involving their peers. Youth in grades 7 through 12 accused of minor offenses, are referred by the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice to AYC to have their cases heard. Youth found guilty are spared a formal juvenile record if they complete their sentence and do not break the law again.

Legal Studies joins College of Health's Grand Rounds

Prof. Knudsen and Dr. Tom Wadsworth, Pharm.D. at
COH's Grand Rounds

UAA College of Health (COH) and Alaska Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) held Grand Rounds on Friday, March 3, in the South Café of the Student Union.  The event drew students from across COH disciplines for a program designed to promote interprofessional education and present innovations in diabetes care.  For the first time, Justice Center Legal Studies students and faculty joined the program, bringing their perspective to questions of health policy and insurance coverage.  Madeline Rafferty, a Legal Studies B.A. student, won the event door prize.

Grand Rounds included presentations by Rachel Lescher, M.D., pediatric endocrinologist at Alaska Native Medical Center, Tom Wadsworth, Pharm.D., director of the new Idaho State University-UAA Doctor of Pharmacy program, Amy Urbanus, R.D., certified diabetes educator at Providence Alaska Medical Center, and, probably the most popular panelist, a 16-year-old Alaskan who, with family members, discussed her approach to living with diabetes.

After a short presentation, the panelists went from table to table, fielding questions and showing students how different medical devices worked.

Prof. Kristin Knudsen, Justice Center faculty who teaches Health Law, is a member of COH's Interprofessional Education Working Group which, with AHEC, organized Grand Rounds.  

Justice Center welcomes students at 2017 Spring Preview Day

Prof. Kristin Knudsen (L) and Dr. Marny Rivera speak
with students at the Student Union during 2017
Preview Day.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, and Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., M.J.S., Legal Studies Program Coordinator, taught three mock classes to give students an idea of what classes would be like in Justice Center programs and spoke with high school students in the Student Union at the Spring 2017 Preview Day on February 10. 

Preview Day is designed to help high school juniors and seniors get ready to attend UAA. In addition to mock classes, students learn about admissions and financial aid and speak with current students about campus life.

Dr. Rivera and Prof. Knudsen helped students understand what they could expect from the Justice Undergraduate Program and the Legal Studies Program and fielded questions from students who came from all over Alaska and as far away as Texas.

Prof. Knudsen profiled in Legal Writing Institute newsletter

Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., M.J.S., Legal Studies Undergraduate Coordinator in the Justice Center, is profiled in the December 1, 2016 issue of LWI Lives, a publication of the Legal Writing Institute.

The profile chronicles Prof. Knudsen's journey to Alaska after graduating from Santa Clara University School of Law and her transition from a legal career to teaching Legal Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center. She is currently the Legal Studies Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

Read the full profile here:
"Kristin Knudsen: The Improbable Optimist" by Iselin Gambert. LWI Lives, December 1, 2016.

Justice Center welcomes students at 2016 Fall Preview Day

Dr. Marny Rivera (r) talks to students
about Justice Center programs.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, and Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., Legal Studies Program Coordinator, met with high school students and their parents at the Fall 2016 Preview Day on November 4 at the UAA Student Union.

Preview Days are designed specifically for high school juniors and seniors and their guests and provides potential incoming students with an opportunity to experience what UAA has to offer all in one day. This event gives them the opportunity to explore programs, organizations and resources that they might follow throughout their path here at the university.

Prof. Knudsen (l) describes for students some of the courses
in Justice and in Legal Studies offered by the Justice Center.

A look back at September's law school fair at UAA Student Union

UAA students took advantage of the September 15 Law School Fair at the Student Union to meet with representatives from over 30 law schools from across the U.S. Here are a few photos from the event. The UAA Pre-Law Society also took the opportunity to recruit members at the fair.

 

UW Law Prof. Mathiew Le and Prof. Kristin Knudsen,
Justice Center Undergraduate Legal Studies Program
Coordinator, take a moment for a photo. UAA and
UW School of Law have a partnership which provides
accelerated law school admissions for qualified UAA students.

Natasha Richmond, Lewis & Clark Law School
Assistant Director of Admissions, coordinated the
Law School Fair at both UAA and UAF.

Student representatives from the Pre-Law Society (PLS) were on hand
to recruit members. They took a moment for a photo with
Annie Route, UAA Director of Student Life & Leadership (far left),
whose staff oversees events in the Student Union. PLS members are (l to r)
Carlie Christenson, Jory Knott, Kionne Lewis, and Jennifer Ham.

Professors Rivera and Knudsen present at College of Health Howl Days Frosh Orientation

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, and Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., M.J.S., Legal Studies Undergraduate Program Coordinator, presented at the Fall 2016 Howl Days College of Health (COH) freshman orientation on Tuesday, August 23.

They described the academic programs offered by the Justice Center, Justice student organizations, and career opportunities.

L to r standing: Dr. Marny Rivera and Prof. Kristin Knudsen, discuss the
various Justice and Legal Studies courses offered by the Justice Center.

Justice and Legal Studies faculty welcome the Class of 2016 at Campus Kickoff!

L to r: Prof. Deb Periman, Prof. Marny Rivera, Prof. Ryan Fortson,
and Prof. Kristin Knudsen.

The  2016 Campus Kickoff on Saturday, August 27 was a great success - loads of sunshine and tons of booths, food, and activities!  Justice Center faculty were on hand to talk to current and prospective Justice and Legal Studies students and their parents about  courses and career options.

Justice and Legal Studies faculty included Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator; Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., M.J.S., Legal Studies Program Undergraduate Program Coordinator; Prof. Deb Periman, J.D.; and Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D.

L to r: Prof. Deb Periman, Prof. Kristin Knudsen, and
UAA Chancellor Tom Case at the Justice Center exhibit table.

Professors Rivera and Knudsen to present at College of Health Howl Days Frosh Orientation on August 23

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, and Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., Legal Studies Undergraduate Program Coordinator, will present at the Fall 2016 Howl Days College of Health (COH) freshman orientation on Tuesday, August 23.

They will be describing the academic programs offered by the Justice Center, Justice student organizations, and career opportunities.

Justice Center Legal Studies faculty attend "Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor"

L ro r: Justice Sotomayor and
Judge Christen begin the conversation.

The Legal Studies faculty of the Justice Center attended the August 17 event, "A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor," sponsored by the Alaska Bar Association at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage.

Justice Sotomayor was appointed in 2009 by President Obama. She is the first Hispanic to sit on the court, and the third female justice.

Over 1,200 people attended the program which was moderated by 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Morgan Christen.  Justice Sotomayor delighted the crowd by coming down into the audience and shaking hands and giving hugs while she answered questions that been submitted in advance.

L to r: Legal Studies Faculty - Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D.;
Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D.; Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D.;
Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., at the event.

Students in Prof. Knudsen's Civil Procedure class present mock oral arguments before Administrative Law Judge Andrew Hemenway

Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., M.L.S., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, recently held mock oral arguments in her Legal 367 - Civil Procedure and PreTrial Practice course   Students were given an actual pending U.S. Supreme Court case which they then researched to determine what issues arose at the U.S. District Court level that prompted the appeal of the denial of class decertification. Their mock oral arguments replicated the proceedings at the U.S. District Court.

Students presented their arguments before long-time Juneau Administrative Law Judge Andrew Hemenway, who now serves as the Chair of the Alaska Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission.

Students pose with Judge Hemenway and Prof. Knudsen prior to mock oral arguments. L to r: Jennifer Ham, Kara Stewart,Kyla Kosednar, Sheila Morrison, Josephine Davis, Judge Hemenway, Prof. Knudsen, Judi Hegerberg, Merri Foreman, and Taylor Lane. Not pictured Kara Blanton, Rachel El Naggar, Raquel Granados, and Joseph Mitzel.