JDO - Key Persons
Allison G. Strickland is a litigation attorney with experience in personal injury, contract disputes, labor and employment, education law, products liability, commercial litigation, real property disputes, and professional malpractice.
Ms. Strickland has counseled clients and litigated matters both domestically and abroad.
Experience
After law school Ms. Strickland clerked for the Alaska State District Court in Anchorage. Prior to joining the firm Ms. Strickland was an associate attorney with Richmond & Quinn and spent two years practicing with Murray, Morin, and Herman in Tampa, Florida.
Education
Andrena L. Stone is of counsel with the firm focusing on Education Law, Special Education and Labor and Employment Law.
Ms. Stone helps Alaska schools resolve challenging labor disputes, receive better funding, and remain compliant with changing state and federal laws. She has a direct impact on Alaska public education, helping draft state legislative changes and annually reviewing and revising school policy manuals. She is an excellent communicator and a passionate expert in Alaska's K-12 education issues.
Experience
Ms. Stone's experience includes:
CHARLES A. DUNNAGAN co-founded the law firm with Bill Jermain in 1976. For over 40 years his practice has focused on Labor and Employment law and Employee Benefit Trust Funds. For over 30 years he has been listed in "the Best Lawyers in America" and has been named as an Alaska Super Lawyer by the publication Washington Law and Politics. He has a BS in Economics from Trinity University in San Antonio and a JD in Law from the University of Texas at Austin.
His practice consists primary of: representing employee benefit trust funds (Pension, Health, and Training), and labor law in both the public and private sector. His work also includes the negotiation of contracts, settlement of employment and benefits disputes, representation before state and federal agencies, arbitrations, occasional litigation, document review, and advice on general legal matters and devising creative simple solutions to legal problems.
Experience
His employee benefits clients include the Alaska Laborers Pension Fund, the Alaska Laborers Health & Security Fund, the Alaska UFCW Pension Fund, the Alaska UFCW Health & Welfare Fund, and the Pacific Health Coalition, which is a coalition of health funds who combine their healthcare dollars to obtain market discounts in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. His labor clients include the Anchorage and Fairbanks Firefighters Unions, the Alaska Ironworkers, the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 367, and the United Transportation Workers on the Alaska Railroad.
Chris joined JDO in 2023 and is an associate attorney with the firm.
Experience
Prior to attending law school Chris served for 20 years as an officer in the United States Coast Guard. After finishing law school he clerked for the Honorable Stephen Wallace of the Alaska Superior Court in Kodiak, and for the Honorable Jennifer Henderson of the Alaska Supreme Court.
Chris enjoys skiing, packrafting, running, and adventuring in Alaska. Chris also sometimes works as an outdoor educator and avalanche course instructor.
Education
Cynthia L. Cartledge joined the firm in December of 2015. She is Of Counsel with the firm. Her principal areas of practice include public finance, municipal law, and real property law.
Experience
Cynthia serves as counsel to state, local, tribal governments and corporate entities on project financings.
Cynthia serves as bond counsel and underwriters' counsel on general obligation, revenue, and special obligation financings. She serves as special counsel to local and national institutions in developing municipal and public/private ventures. Cynthia also has extensive experience in structuring, and closing, real estate transactions.
Education
Diane F. Vallentine is a member of the firm with a diversified civil practice focusing on representing businesses in all aspects of commercial litigation, commercial transactions and bankruptcy law. Diane also devotes a portion of her practice to contested trust and estate litigation, bringing business litigation experience to bear in that particular setting. Unique among Alaska lawyers, she practices workers compensation premium law.
Ms. Vallentine has been an active and visible member of the Alaska litigation scene for four decades. Through the years she has served as President of the Alaska Bar Association, the Anchorage Bar Association and the Alaska Academy of Trial Lawyers. Ms. Vallentine has also been honored with the Anchorage Bar Association Distinguished Service Award. She has served as a trustee to the Alaska Bar Foundation for five years.
Mark P. Melchert is a member of the firm focusing primarily on business, public procurement and construction, real estate, and natural resources law. He works with organizations, companies, individuals and businesses on many issues, including commercial and real estate transactions, governance, financing and others.
Mr. Melchert has a good sense for the balance between the legal and business needs of clients, and a strong drive to obtain good results for clients at a reasonable cost. Mr. Melchert hunts, fishes, hikes, skis, camps, kayaks and has worked on a factory trawler around the Aleutian Islands. The fact that he shares many activities in common with his clients often means he shares perspective on issues his clients are facing.
Experience
Mr. Melchert works with Alaska Native corporations, private companies, entrepreneurs, school districts, community health centers, regional housing authorities, and other businesses on corporate governance and affairs, acquisitions, real estate transactions, start-up formation and growth, commercial financing, procurement, leasing, IT licensing, and other commercial transactions.
Mr. Melchert also handles bid protests and litigation involving contract and real property disputes. Mr. Melchert serves as general counsel for private and public entities.
Mr. Melchert is on the board of the Alaska Sudan Medical Project, which runs health and agriculture programs in South Sudan.
He has spent several years learning and working in Africa and has traveled in Tanzania, Uganda and Burkino Faso.
Mr. Melchert has been selected for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America" for 2013 in commercial litigation.
Education
J.D., University of Minnesota, cum laude, 1992
Max D. Holmquist joined the firm as an associate in January of 2018. His practice focuses primarily on municipal law, litigation, and commercial law.
Experience
Prior to joining JDO, Mr. Holmquist worked for seven years as a trial lawyer in a busy criminal defense practice, where he handled a high volume of cases ranging from misdemeanors to A-level felonies. After graduating from law school, Mr. Holmquist served as a law clerk for the Alaska State District Court in Anchorage. He grew up in Anchorage and enjoys practicing law in his hometown.
Education
Megan N. Sandone is a member of the firm. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, with a background in personal injury litigation and employment disputes.
Ms. Sandone was born and raised in Alaska and returned in 2008 after graduating from the University of Oregon School of Law in Eugene, Oregon.
Thoughtful, strategic and well prepared, she is particularly strong in complex litigation.
Experience
Prior to joining the firm in 2013, Ms. Sandone worked as an associate at Richmond & Quinn in Anchorage for four years.
Ms. Sandone also worked as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Sen K. Tan of the Alaska Superior Court in Anchorage.
Ms. Sandone is a lifelong singer and lover of music. She sang with the Alaska Children's Choir for 13 years, and has been singing with the Anchorage Concert Chorus since she was 16. She also sang with the Alaska Chamber Singers as well as serve on their Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Board of Anchorage Concert Chorus and is passionate about the arts in Alaska.
Education
Michael (Mike) D. Corey (Partner from January 2013 through September of 2014), rejoined the firm in August of 2021, "Of Counsel," following his time on the Anchorage Superior Court and his work with another Anchorage firm.
Mike, rated "AV Preeminent" by Martindale Hubble, possesses a wealth of experience with litigation of complex insurance, product liability, and personal injury claims. Mike has defended individuals, corporations, and governmental entities since 1985.
Mike enjoys an active role as Mediator, resolving disputes in that capacity since 2019.
Mike is also invited by the American Judges Association to speak at their annual convention as a panel member regarding judicial independence, once assembly of the numbers expected for that presentation is acceptable to the membership.
Michael D. Caulfield is a member of the firm. His practice focuses primarily on education and employment matters.
Experience
Michael has extensive experience representing school districts across the state. He works with districts to address any legal need, including employment, land use, policy matters, and student issues. Michael also works with other public entities, including municipal corporations, and public sector unions.
A lifelong Alaskan, Michael joined the firm after clerking with the Honorable William B. Carey of the Alaska Superior Court in Ketchikan. During law school, he interned for the Alaska Department of Law and the United States Department of Justice. Prior to law school, he worked as a legislative aide in the Alaska State Legislature. He enjoys kayaking, skiing, and exploring Alaska wilderness.
Education
Michael Gatti joined Jermain Dunnagan & Owens, P.C. in December of 2015. He is Of Counsel to the firm and has over 30 years' legal experience as a municipal attorney serving many Alaska municipalities.
Quincy is a senior attorney with the firm. Her practice is primarily municipal law.
Experience
Quincy has extensive experience practicing municipal law. During her twelve years with the Municipality of Anchorage, her work focused on land use, real estate transactions, legislative drafting, and procurement, among other areas.
Quincy moved to Alaska after graduating from law school and spent one year in Palmer clerking with the Honorable Kari Christensen. Outside of work, Quincy enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, two girls, and golden retriever.
Education
J.D., Vermont Law School, 2010 (Cum Laude)
B.A., California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, 2006
Ryan A. Stuart is a member of the firm. His practice focuses primarily on labor and employment law, with a background in municipal law and civil litigation.
Experience
Prior to joining the firm in 2020, Mr. Stuart handled an array of civil matters as an assistant municipal attorney with the Municipality of Anchorage. Prior to his time with the Municipality, Mr. Stuart spent 11 years in private practice focused primarily on litigation of professional negligence, premises liability, products liability, personal injury, and other tort claims. After graduating from law school, Mr. Stuart served as a law clerk for the Alaska State District Court in Anchorage before serving as a deputy magistrate for the Second Judicial District and judicial law clerk for the Honorable Ben J. Esch of the Alaska Superior Court in Nome.
Mr. Stuart was born and raised in Alaska and enjoys biking, fishing, gardening, camping, and exploring the state with his wife and daughter. He serves on the board of directors and executive committee of the Alaska SeaLife Center and is a former board chair.
Education
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Managing Partner
Sarah E. Josephson is a member and managing partner of the firm focusing primarily on labor and employment law. Ms. Josephson serves as general counsel to labor unions and associations and handles the full range of labor relations and legal needs for them.
Ms. Josephson serves as general counsel to labor unions and associations, including the IAFF Local 1264 and United Academics. She handles the full range of labor relations and legal needs for these clients, including collective bargaining, employee rights and grievances, and the negotiation and settlement of compensation and benefits issues. Ms. Josephson regularly represents clients before the National Labor Relations Board and the Alaska State Labor Relations Agency in connection with matters including the filing of unfair labor practice charges.
Saul R. Friedman is of counsel with the firm focusing on education law, labor and employment law, administrative law and construction law.
In his more than 35 years of representing Alaska school districts as the spokesperson and labor law expert, Mr. Friedman has developed absolutely trustworthy judgement and instinct in bargaining, negotiation and decision making.
Saul Friedman serves as the general counsel for a number of Alaska school districts. He is the chief negotiator and spokesperson for many of those districts in all their collective bargaining activities. He also handles a wide range of day-to-day legal issues and litigation.
Mr. Friedman speaks and lectures regularly on a variety of topics related to education law and labor and employment law. He also served as co-chair of the Third Judicial District, Committee for the Alaska Legal Services Corporation's Partners in Justice fundraising campaign.
Education
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1971
B.S., Alfred University, 1967
Qualifications
Bar Admissions:
Taylor McMahon is a senior attorney with the firm. Her practice focuses on education, construction, and transactional matters.
Experience
After graduating law school, Taylor clerked for the Honorable Mark Rindner in the Anchorage Superior Court. She then spent over 10 years in private practice, primarily focused on construction litigation. During this time, she represented contractors in a wide range of construction related claims and disputes including differing site conditions, changes, delays, liens, and public procurement.
Taylor also handles commercial and business matters, real estate transactions, and employment issues, with an emphasis on being cost-effective and practical.
Taylor was born and raised in Anchorage. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, including her twin daughters, and practicing yoga.
Education
J.D., Seattle University School of Law, 2008