Stefan Otterson

Three principles guide my practice.  First, listen carefully to clients, and help them express what's really going on in their lives.  Second, find the least conflict-oriented path to a resolution.  Finally, pull out all the stops in pursuing that path.  Leave no stone unturned in developing a case.    

I practiced business law for two years before moving to family law in 1990. Since then, I have represented state agencies, foster children, juvenile delinquents, parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and adoption agencies.  I have worked in every aspect of family law, family mediation, and collaborative law.  I have worked with Native Alaskan tribal courts and State Superior Courts all over Alaska. 

I have spent as much time in a courtroom as anyone in the state, but I only litigate when there is no good alternative.   That would be the case where the other party is dishonest, or where children are at risk of imminent harm.  Otherwise, there are great alternatives such as mediation and collaborative law.  Collaborative law gives all the support you expect from a traditional attorney-client relationship, but adds open communication within a multidisciplinary team all focused on settlement.   You may be surprised what can be accomplished without going to court.   Either way, my office can help you decide what you want, and achieve it.