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Peter

Peter C. Partnow

Counsel to the Firm

Peter Partnow represents clients in general litigation and dispute resolution, with a particular focus on employment and labor matters involving wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, failure to accommodate, ERISA defense and Fair Labor Standards.

He has particular experience in construction disputes, public procurement and contract claims, public education related disputes and other complex litigation matters. Chambers USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business has listed Peter as a “Leading Lawyer,” describing him as “well known, well respected and well liked” and as being “a passionate advocate for employers, and a powerful litigator.”

Peter's representative clients include Ahtna, Inc., Alaska Frontier Constructors, ASRC Energy Services, Inc., ASSETS, Inc., Bank of America, The Home Depot, Inc., Kenai Peninsula Borough and Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Metlife, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Inc., Tesoro Alaska Company and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Before joining Lane Powell, Peter was owner of his own firm and served as general counsel for the Anchorage School District and chief of the civil section of the Alaska Attorney General’s Anchorage office.

Peter has presented at numerous CLEs and panels on a range of topics including tort reform impact on employment and labor matters, COBRA, Fair Credit Reporting Act impact on employment matters, Fair Labor Standards Act, agency processed employment discrimination matters, equal employment opportunity law developments, religious discrimination and reasonable accommodation, and choice of state or federal court for employment disputes in Alaska.

Peter is an active member of the local community. When not working on cases on behalf of firm clients, he is a pro bono volunteer attorney through Alaska Legal Services Corporation, a fee arbitrator for the Alaska Bar Association, and a board member on a number of Alaska based non-profits. In his leisure time, he enjoys running, gardening and reading.

Experience

Reported Employment Related Appellate Decisions

Woodford v. Tesoro Companies, Inc.
Case No. 3:11-cv-000444-TMBU.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Defended employer against claims of wrongful termination, gender discrimination and retaliation.
Brooks v. Big Box Retailer
Case No. OAH No. 11-0206-HRC, ASCHR No. J-08-0069Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
Defended big box retailer against a race discrimination claim prosecuted by the Alaska State Commission on Human Rights (ASCHR), prevailing in an administrative hearing before an Alaska Administrative Law Judge, a decision affirmed by the ASCHR.
Kendall and Rahlfs v. The Home Depot, Inc.
Case No. 3AN-06-13817U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Defended employer against allegations of age discrimination, retaliation and violation of covenant of good faith and fair dealing
Raad v. Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Case No. 323 F.3d 1185 U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Defended employer against alleged employment discrimination and retaliation.
Ellingstad v. State Department of Natural Resources*
Case No. 979 P.2d 1000Alaska Supreme Court
Alleged breach of contract.
Martinez v. Anchorage School District*
Case No. 699 P.2d 330Alaska Supreme Court
Termination of employment.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education v. Brown*
Case No. 691 P. 2d 1034Alaska Supreme Court
Termination of employment for immorality.
Griffin v. Galena City School District*
Case No. 640 P. 2d 829Alaska Supreme Court
Termination of employment.
Anchorage Education Association v. Anchorage School District*
Case No. 648 P.2d 992Alaska Supreme Court
Legality of public employee strike.
Goodson v. G.S. Equipment Inc.
Case No. 3:11-cv-00059-TMBU.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Remand of ERISA long term disability claim.
Johnson v. University of Alaska*
Case No. 1998 WL 34347965Alaska Supreme Court
Alleged age discrimination in employment.
University of Alaska v. Tovsen*
Case No. 835 P.2d 445Alaska Supreme Court
Termination of probationary employee.
Anchorage Daily News v. Anchorage School District*
Case No. 779 P.2d 1191Alaska Supreme Court
Public records.
Rouse v. Anchorage School District*
Case No. 613 P.2d 263Alaska Supreme Court
Change of benefits under collective bargaining agreement.

Trial Court Proceedings in Labor and Employment Area

Ahtna Professional Services, Inc. v. C.B. Harris and Company et al.
Case No. 3:17-cv-00015U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Representing Ahtna in a contract and employment lawsuit.
Cronick v. Custom Disability Solutions et al.
Case No. 3:13-cv-00161U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Represented Custom Disability Solutions against an ERISA claim seeking long-term disability benefits.
Wilfong v. Kenai Peninsula Borough
Defended the Borough against alleged wrongful termination and age and gender discrimination claims.
Jacketta v. The Home Depot, Inc.
Defended employer against a claim of disability discrimination (failure to accommodate) processed by Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR).
Hanchett v. The IBEX Group, Inc. et al.
Case No. 4:11-cv-00005U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Defended employer against wrongful termination and retaliation claims.
Sunnyboy v. Tanana Chiefs Conference, Inc.
Defended client in alleged wrongful termination suit.
McDowell v. Big Box Retailer
Defended retailer against claims of alleged disability discrimination/failure to accommodate.
Ortiz v. Sam’s Club
Defended employer against alleged national origin discrimination and retaliation claims.
Cowen v. Alaska State Commission for Human Rights and Big Box Retailer
Defended retailer against claims of alleged disability discrimination in employment
Watkins v. Big Box Retailer
Defended employer in alleged gender discrimination and wrongful termination suit
Schleiter v. Sam’s Club
Defended retailer against alleged disability discrimination in employment, retaliation and wrongful termination suit
Zurek v. Big Box Retailer
Defended retailer against alleged national origin and gender discrimination in employment claims
Olson v. Big Box Retailer
Defended retailer against alleged gender discrimination in employment claims
Jenkins v. Big Box Retailer
Defended retailer against alleged disability discrimination in employment claims
Flakes v. Alaska Sales & Service
Defended client against alleged discriminatory failure to promote claim.
Flory v. Big Box Retailer
Defended employer in alleged employment disability discrimination suit
Absolute Environmental Services v. Imperial et al.
Advised client in complex multiparty construction dispute.
MP v. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Defended school district against student sexual assault allegations arising from failure to supervise.
Bashaw v. South Peninsula Hospital et al.
Defended client against claim of wrongful termination and interference with contract.
Frost v. Morris et al.
Case No. 3:01-cv-00342-JKSU.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Defended employer against claims of alleged employment discrimination and retaliation.
Pierson v. Restaurants Unlimited, Inc.
Defended client against alleged age discrimination in employment.
ACS of Anchorage v. Alaska Construction & Paving et al.
Counseled client in complex dispute regarding road construction and alleged damages to buried utilities.
Holladay v. Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Case No. 4:15-cv-00011U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Defending employer against discrimination claim.
Bonus v. Tanana Chiefs Conference, Inc.
Obtained summary judgment for Tanana Chiefs Conference, dismissing employee’s wrongful termination claim and achieving substantial award of costs and attorney’s fees against the plaintiff.
Walleri v. Tanana Chiefs Conference, Inc.
Case No. 4FA-11-00981 CIAlaska
Defended Tanana Chiefs Conference against alleged wrongful termination and breach of contract claims by former in-house counsel.
Ah You v. Home Depot
Case No. 3:12-cv-00172-HRHU.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Defended employer against wrongful termination, national origin discrimination, and violation of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing claims.
Uei v. Kenai Peninsula Borough
Case No. 3KN-11-278 CI
Defended the Borough and several of its employees in a lawsuit alleging inadequate supervision and negligent hire in the context of an altercation and alleged injury at a Borough operated athletic facility.
Bell v. Boys and Girls Club of Kenai
Defended employer against alleged sexual harassment claims.
Dowd v. Countrywide Mortgage, Inc.
Defended client against alleged mortgage fraud claims.
Golden Heart Emergency Physicians v. Tanana Chiefs Conference, Inc.
Case No. 4:10-cv-00007U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
Complex claim for medical services reimbursement.
Sam v. Tanana Chiefs Conference, Inc.
Defended client in alleged wrongful termination suit.
Bloemhard v. Big Box Retailer
Defended employer against alleged sexual harassment and retaliation claims
Hoffman v. Big Box Retailer
Defended employer against alleged sex and disability discrimination claims
Johnson v. Big Box Retailer
Defended employer against claims of alleged sex discrimination, harassment, retaliation, failure to accommodate and wrongful termination
Smith v. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Defended school district against claims arising from a student's injury in physical education class.

Additional Litigation Experience

Anderson v. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Defended school district and principal in a suit by a minor student and her parents asserting damages inflicted as the student was the victim of bullying and cyber-bulling.
R.T. v. Assets, Inc.
Defending employer against Anchorage Equal Rights Commission complaint.
R.B. v. Assets, Inc.
Defending employer against claims of discrimination.
M.C. v. Assets, Inc.
Defended employer against claims of national origin and disability discrimination.
J.D. v. Assets, Inc.
Defended employer against claims of discrimination.
S.M. v. Assets, Inc.
Defended employer against a claim filed with the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission by a former employee claiming discriminatory termination based on disability.
In re Employment Discrimination Complaint
Assisting client with Alaska State Commission for Human Rights discrimination complaint.
R.T. v. Knik River Lodge, LLC
Defending client regarding wage and hour claims.
M.M. v. Assets, Inc.
Defended employer against Anchorage Equal Rights Commission complaint.
A.J. v. Assets, Inc.
Defended employer against discrimination claims relating to national origin and sex.
M.A. v. Assets, Inc.
Defended employer against Anchorage Equal Rights Commission complaint.
R.B. v. Assets, Inc.
Obtained dismissal in alleged race discrimination claims against employer.
M.K. v. Assets, Inc.
Defended employer against claims of discrimination and wrongful termination based on race, national origin and retaliation.

* Denotes experience at a previous firm

Professional Experience

Foster Pepper Rubini & Reeves, PLLC, Of Counsel

Partnow, Bennett & Shoop, Owner/Attorney

Anchorage School District, General Counsel

Alaska Department of Law in Juneau and Anchorage, Assistant Attorney General

Anchorage Civil Section, Chief

Anchorage School District in teachers’ union negotiations, Bargaining Team, Former Member

Alaska State Commission for Human Rights, Former Hearing Examiner

Hearing Officer on ad hoc basis for numerous school districts in employee discipline and termination proceedings

Expert Witness in civil proceedings regarding public employment labor matters

Advocated for numerous employers in a variety of mediations, arbitrations, and other administrative proceedings involving dismissal, transfer, work assignments, employee benefits, discrimination and retaliation

Community Involvement

Alaska Legal Services Corporation, Pro Bono Volunteer

Anchorage Concert Association, Board Member

Alaska Center for Performing Arts

Board Member
Executive Committee

Alaska Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section Executive Committee, Co-Chair

Alaska Bar Association, Fee Arbitrator

Alaska Attorney Representative, Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Former Member

Government Hill Community Counsel

Thought Leadership

June 1, 2023News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2023 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
May 25, 2023News
Five Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska for 2023
Awards & Honors
July 28, 2022News
Three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska for 2022
Awards & Honors
June 1, 2022News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2022 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
July 15, 2021News
Forty-Three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers for 2021
Awards & Honors
May 20, 2021News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2021 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
April 27, 2021Publication
Good News for Alaska Employers Faced With Employee Overtime Claims
Labor, Employment & Benefits Legal Update
October 27, 2020News
Lane Powell Receives Alaska Bar Association’s Bryan P. Timbers Pro Bono Award
Awards & Honors
July 28, 2020News
Three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska for 2020
Awards & Honors
April 23, 2020 News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2020 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
July 5, 2019News
Twenty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska and Oregon
Awards & Honors
May 9, 2019News
Partnow Awarded Alaska Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award
Awards & Honors
April 26, 2019News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2019 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
January 4, 2019Publication
Engaged to Wait or Waiting to Be Engaged? Takeaways From the Alaska Supreme Court Regarding Employers’ Exposure for Wage and Hour Claims
Wage & Hour Legal Update
September 11, 2018Publication
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Limits Right of Alaska Employers to Have Representative Attend Investigative Interviews
Labor, Employment & Benefits Legal Update
July 24, 2018News
Twenty-three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska and Oregon
Awards & Honors
July 18, 2018Publication
Terminating an Employee
Labor, Employment & Benefits Legal Update
May 3, 2018News
Lane Powell Again Ranked Among Top Firms in 2018 Chambers® USA
Awards & Honors
July 10, 2017News
Twenty-three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska and Oregon
Awards & Honors
May 30, 2017News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2017
Awards & Honors
July 11, 2016News
Twenty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Alaska and Oregon
Awards & Honors
May 27, 2016News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2016
Awards & Honors
February 2, 2016News
Twenty-five Lane Powell Attorneys and 11 Practice Groups Recommended in Chambers® USA 2016
Awards & Honors
August 24, 2015News
Jamieson, Parise and Partnow Named as 2015 ‘Alaska Super Lawyers’
Awards & Honors
May 21, 2015News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2015
Awards & Honors
April 8, 2015News
Partnow Quoted in Alaska Dispatch News Article About Adverse Employment Actions Based on Sexual Orientation
In the News
April 2, 2015Event / CLE
Anchorage Labor and Employment Seminar
Lane Powell Seminar | Anchorage, Alaska
February 11, 2015News
Twenty-one Lane Powell Attorneys and 11 Practice Groups Recommended in Chambers® USA 2015
Awards & Honors
November 24, 2014Publication
Is the Issue of Whether Pilots Are ‘Professionals’ for Purposes of Wage and Hour Laws Still up in the Air? You May Be Surprised at How This Alaska Ruling Could Affect All Employers.
Labor and Employment Legal Update
June 3, 2014News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2014
Awards & Honors
January 29, 2014News
Twenty-two Lane Powell Attorneys and 12 Practice Groups Recommended in Chambers® USA 2014
Awards & Honors
Jan 2013Event / CLE
Agency Processed Employment Discrimination Claims in Alaska
Alaska Bar Association | Anchorage, Alaska
Dec 2012Event / CLE
Equal Employment Opportunity Developments
Law Seminars International | Anchorage, Alaska
Apr 2008Event / CLE
Employment Litigation in Alaska: Federal Court or State Court? What’s a Litigator to Do?
Alaska Bar Association

Practices & Industries

ERISA, Life, Health & Disability
Labor, Employment & Benefits
Wage & Hour

Education

University of Chicago, J.D.
Bowdoin College, B.A., magna cum laude
- James Bowdoin Scholar
- Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

Alaska
U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia
U.S. Supreme Court

Honors

"Alaska Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers®, Labor & Employment Litigation (2022)

Chambers® USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment (2012-2023)

The Best Lawyers in America©, Labor & Employment Litigation (2019-2022); Employment Law - Management (2023-2024); Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2024); Litigation - ERISA (2024)

“Alaska Super Lawyer,” Thomson Reuters, Employment & Labor (2015-2023)

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