Jude Pate
Alaska Supreme Court | Statewide
Justice Pate was appointed to the Alaska Supreme Court in January of 2023. This is his first judicial retention election in his current position. Before being appointed to the supreme court, he served as the superior court judge in Sitka.
Performance Summary
The Alaska Judicial Council finds that Justice Pate met or exceeded performance standards and recommends a "YES" vote for his retention in office.
This conclusion is based on surveys and reviews from attorneys, court employees, jurors, and other user groups familiar with the judge's work, analysis of the judge's financial disclosure documents, analysis of how often the judge's decisions were affirmed on appeal, whether their pay was withheld for untimely decisions, how often the judge was disqualified from a case, whether the judge followed standards of ethical conduct and continuing education, input from the public, and the judge's demonstrated commitment to the administration of justice and the community.
The Council's evaluation process included an interview with Justice Pate, and an opportunity for Justice Pate to comment on his own performance.
"I believe that my most significant contribution to the judiciary has been efforts toward education and outreach particularly to rural communities. Over the last few years, I have strengthened my writing, editing, and analytical skills."
— Justice Pate
Detailed Performance Findings
The Council evaluated Justice Pate’s performance on legal ability, integrity, impartiality and fairness, judicial temperament, and diligence and administrative skills. Justice Pate met or exceeded the standard in each of these areas.
A summary of the Council’s findings on Justice Pate's performance is presented here. Complete reports are posted in the source documents below.
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▼ Legal Ability
Did the judge demonstrate knowledge of substantive law, evidence and procedure, and clarity and precision in their work?
Attorneys familiar with Justice Pate’s work rated his legal ability as excellent. See chart below for numerical ratings. Attorneys who appeared in cases before him gave positive reviews.
Justice Pate met or exceeded educational requirements set by the Alaska Supreme Court.
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▼ Impartiality & Fairness
Did the judge demonstrate a sense of fairness and justice and treat all parties equally?
Attorneys and court employees rated Justice Pate’s impartiality and fairness as excellent. See chart below for numerical ratings.
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▼ Integrity
Was the judge's conduct free from impropriety or the appearance of impropriety, and did the judge make decisions without regard to possible public criticism?
Attorneys and court employees rated Justice Pate’s integrity as excellent. See chart below for numerical ratings.
Justice Pate filed financial disclosure statements with the Alaska Public Offices Commission and separate conflict-of-interest forms with the court system as required, and the Council found no items of concern in these disclosures.
The Council confirmed that Justice Pate was not the subject of any public disciplinary proceedings before the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct, and that he followed standards of ethical conduct for judges.
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▼ Judicial Temperament
Was the judge courteous and free from arrogance, and did the judge manifest human understanding and compassion?
Attorneys and court employees rated Justice Pate’s judicial temperament as excellent. See chart below for numerical ratings.
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▼ Diligence & Administrative Skills
Was the judge prepared for court proceedings, did the judge work diligently, and was the judge reasonably prompt in making decisions?
Attorneys and court employees rated Justice Pate’s diligence and administrative skills as excellent. See chart below for numerical ratings.
Under Alaska law, a judge cannot receive a paycheck if they have any decision undecided or uncompleted for more than six months. Each pay cycle, judges must sign an affidavit declaring that no matter referred to them has remained undecided or uncompleted for more than six months. The Council verified that Justice Pate was paid on schedule, and he certified that he had no untimely decisions.
Justice Pate demonstrated commitment to improving the administration of justice and to community outreach. Justice Pate:
- Chairs the Newer Judge Conference Committee, a group that plans and teaches an annual conference to judges who have been on the bench for three years or less;
- Co-chairs the Judicial Education Committee, a group which plans and teaches an annual conference for all judges;
- Chairs the court system’s Healthy Workplace Committee;
- Serves on the Alaska Supreme Court’s Fairness, Diversity, and Equality Committee;
- Has made presentations at community groups, including the Juneau Rotary Club and rural southeast Alaska communities including Hoonah, Hydaburg, Klawock, and Craig;
- Assists with coaching students in the annual high school mock trial competition;
- Attends and helps organize the educational Color of Justice program;
- Established and helps administer an annual summer externship program for Alaskan undergrads interested in attending law school
- Administered the oath of office to graduation Alaska State Troopers in Sitka; and
- Established and attends a biannual tribal-state judges dinner in the First Judicial District.
See Justice Pate's retention questionnaire for more information.
The Judicial Council distributed electronic surveys to attorneys and court employees asking them to rate Justice Pate’s performance on key skills. Survey ratings from these groups are shown in the charts below.
