Dunleavy Names Office of Public Advocacy Attorney Acting Public Defender

ANCHORAGE—Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy accepted the resignation of Public Defender Quinlan Steiner effective immediately and named Beth Goldstein of Anchorage as Acting Public Defender pursuant to AS 18.85.050.

Ms. Beth Goldstein has over 25 years of business management and legal experience. Ms. Goldstein’s public service consists of eight years as an assistant federal public defender in the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Ohio, and most recently 13 years in the Alaska Office of Public Advocacy as an assistant public advocate, deputy director, and supervisor.  She received her BS in Genetic Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, and Political Science at Cedar Crest College and her Juris Doctorate from University of New Hampshire School of Law. With experience in both the private and public sector, her background includes regulations, administrative law, contract negotiations, fraud investigations, and legal management.

Background:

• On April 2, 2019, Public Defender Quinlan Steiner tendered his resignation“effective upon the appointment of a new Public Defender nominated by the Alaska Judicial Council under AS 18.85.030.”

• Pursuant to AS 18.85.050, the Alaska Judicial Council recently announcedits intention to take action to fill the vacancy created by the resignation.

o   AS 18.85.050. Vacancy If the position of public defender becomes vacant for any reason, the governor may appoint an acting public defender to serve until the regular appointment procedures under AS 18.85.030 are complied with. The governor and the judicial council shall act under AS 18.85.030 as soon as possible after the vacancy occurs. A person appointed under that section to fill a vacancy begins a new four-year term.    

• The Council has begun soliciting applications and plans to meet as early as August of 2019 to make its nominations for a replacement Public Defender.

• Governor Dunleavy accepted the resignation of Public Defender Quinlan Steiner effective immediately based on the Judicial Council’s decision to declare a vacancy and begin the process to select a new Public Defender.

• Governor Dunleavy is exercising his authority under AS 18.85.050 to appoint an acting Public Defender in the interim.