Profile: Judge Leslie N. Dickson

Professional Background and Career History

Judge Leslie N. Dickson serves on the Anchorage District Court, part of Alaska’s Third Judicial District. She was appointed to the district court bench in November 2012 by Governor Sean Parnell and has served in that role from 2013 to the present. Prior to becoming a judge, Dickson built a diverse legal career. She began as a law clerk to then-Alaska Superior Court Judge (later state Supreme Court Justice) Dana Fabe from 1995–1996. Following her clerkship, she worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Alaska from 1996 to 2003, prosecuting cases on behalf of the state. She then spent several years as an Assistant Public Advocate from 2003 to 2010, a role in which she provided legal defense and advocacy (often for indigent clients or in cases of public interest). This experience of working on both sides of the criminal justice system – first as a prosecutor and then as a defense advocate – gave Dickson a well-rounded perspective on legal proceedings. In late 2012, she was selected for the bench; she filled a vacancy on the Anchorage District Court and has since been retained by voters in subsequent judicial retention elections. As a district court judge, Dickson’s docket includes both criminal and civil matters, typically overseeing misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary felony proceedings, small claims, and other lower-court civil disputes. She continues to serve in Anchorage District Court, with her current term extending into 2029.

Education and Legal Training

Leslie Dickson’s educational background provided the foundation for her legal career. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1989 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She then attended Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts, where she obtained her Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1995. During or immediately after law school, Dickson gained practical legal experience that would shape her career. In 1995, after completing her J.D., she relocated to Alaska and served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Dana Fabe of the Alaska Superior Court (who was later appointed to the Alaska Supreme Court). This prestigious clerkship provided Dickson with mentorship and insight into judicial decision-making early on. Her formal legal training, combined with hands-on experience from the clerkship, prepared her for roles both as a prosecutor and defense attorney in Alaska. Dickson has been an Alaska resident since 1995, and her move to Alaska for legal opportunities underscores her commitment to serving the state’s justice system. She has also continually met ongoing education requirements for judges; the Alaska Judicial Council noted that she “met or exceeded educational requirements” mandated by the state’s Supreme Court for judicial officers, indicating her dedication to staying current with legal knowledge and training.

Notable Cases and Rulings

While much of Judge Dickson’s work involves routine matters of the district court, she has presided over some cases that drew significant public attention. One of the most notable was the case of State of Alaska v. Ron Alleva in 2019. In this highly publicized matter, Anchorage businessman Ron Alleva was convicted by a jury of misdemeanor charges – including reckless endangerment, pollution, and misuse of a pesticide – after he directed his employees to spread a harsh pool-cleaning chemical (calcium hypochlorite) on ground near a homeless shelter and soup kitchen, ostensibly to deter homeless individuals from the area. Judge Dickson oversaw the trial and, at sentencing in May 2019, imposed significant penalties. She fined Alleva $6,500 personally and ordered his company (Grubstake Auction) to pay a $35,000 fine for the incident. Additionally, she required Alleva to perform 40 hours of community service and pay cleanup costs. This ruling was widely covered in the media due to the case’s social context (it highlighted tensions over Anchorage’s homeless policies) and the dangerous nature of the chemicals used. The Anchorage Daily News and Associated Press reported Dickson’s stern comments and actions in holding the defendant accountable.

Aside from the Alleva case, Judge Dickson’s name has appeared in news reports connected to various criminal proceedings in Anchorage. For example, she has handled arraignments and bail hearings in serious cases – local news outlets have noted her setting bail or questioning defendants in notable incidents ranging from violent crimes to other high-profile misdemeanors. These reports illustrate her role in the early stages of criminal cases that garner public interest. However, because district court judges in Alaska generally deal with lower-level offenses and preliminary hearings, major landmark rulings by Judge Dickson are not frequently in the public spotlight. Her day-to-day judicial work is integral but often procedural. Nevertheless, the firm sentence she delivered in the 2019 chemical exposure case stands out as an example of her judicial decision-making in a matter of public concern.

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Judicial Philosophy and Approach

Judge Dickson has not publicly published a detailed judicial philosophy, as is common for trial court judges who must remain impartial and avoid political pronouncements. However, insights into her approach can be gleaned from her career and evaluations. Having served as both a prosecutor and a defense advocate before taking the bench, Dickson is often noted for her balanced perspective on justice. The Alaska Judicial Council’s performance evaluations – conducted during retention reviews – consistently describe her in positive terms. In her most recent evaluation, the Council found that Judge Dickson “met or exceeded performance standards on all criteria, including legal ability, integrity, impartiality/fairness, temperament, diligence, and administrative skills.”. This indicates that she adheres to core judicial principles of fairness and integrity in her courtroom.

Feedback from those who have observed or participated in her court also sheds light on her philosophy-in-practice. Attorneys, law enforcement officers, and court staff who interact with Judge Dickson gave her very high marks in surveys, reflecting respect for her even-handedness. Perhaps most telling, jurors who served in her trials have praised her demeanor and sense of justice. One juror’s comment, cited in the Judicial Council report, stated: “The courts need more judges like her. I am so impressed and proud to have seen her at work. Our people have a fair chance with her presiding as a judge.”. This suggests that Dickson’s courtroom conduct emphasizes giving everyone a fair opportunity to be heard – a fundamental aspect of her judicial approach.

While Judge Dickson has not given many interviews about her legal philosophy, her involvement in programs like the Anchorage Youth Court and the Success Inside and Out conference (which prepares incarcerated individuals for reentry) implies a belief in rehabilitation and legal education. By volunteering in these areas, she has demonstrated an interest in helping offenders, especially youth and inmates, understand the legal system and improve their lives. In summary, Judge Dickson’s philosophy can be characterized by a commitment to fairness, community justice, and maintaining high professional standards rather than any ideological bent. Her own statements on legal principles tend to come through in actions – for instance, cautioning the public about scams (as noted below) or mentoring young lawyers – rather than through theoretical writings.

Public Appearances and Speaking Engagements

In her capacity as a judge, Leslie Dickson has made several public appearances and given remarks in both community and official settings. Notably, she has taken part in public information efforts. In late 2023, Judge Dickson was featured in a news segment warning Alaskans about a jury duty scam. In an interview with Alaska’s News Source (KTUU), she explained that callers impersonating court officials were claiming people had missed jury service and demanding payment – a fraudulent scheme. Judge Dickson outlined several “red flags” of the scam, stressing that *the court would “never call [and] threaten to arrest or ask for any money over the phone” for missing jury duty. Her on-camera advice was aimed at educating the public and reflected her willingness to engage with media to uphold trust in the judicial system. This interview is an example of her stepping outside the courtroom to help citizens understand legal procedures and protect them from fraud.

Judge Dickson also appears in professional public events, particularly those celebrating or fostering the legal community. For instance, she was a speaker at the installation ceremony of a fellow judge, Laura Hartz, in May 2023. During Judge Hartz’s swearing-in event at the Alaska Supreme Court courtroom in Anchorage, Judge Dickson delivered remarks alongside other judicial colleagues. Her participation in that ceremony, as recorded in the Alaska Bar Rag (the Alaska Bar Association’s publication), indicates her active role in supporting and welcoming new members of the judiciary. Additionally, Dickson often volunteers at community legal education events. She has been noted as a volunteer for “MLK Law Day,” an annual event where free legal clinics or educational outreach often take place in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. She also frequently gives courthouse tours to school groups and engages with youth – for example, serving as a judge for the Anchorage Youth Court program, where teens assume the roles of attorneys and jurors in real cases of their peers. Through these appearances and activities, Judge Dickson demonstrates a commitment to demystifying the legal system and being accessible to the community.

Professional Affiliations and Community Service

Judge Dickson is involved in several legal organizations and community-focused programs, reflecting her professional affiliations and service outside of her formal duties on the bench. She is an active member of the Anchorage Association of Women Lawyers, a local professional group that supports women in the legal field. At the national level, she is affiliated with the National Association of Women Judges, which connects female judges across the country and promotes equality and diversity within the judiciary. Participation in these organizations suggests that Dickson values mentorship and the advancement of women in law.

In addition to her professional memberships, Dickson dedicates time to volunteer-oriented legal programs. She has been involved with Success Inside and Out, a rehabilitative conference program held at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center (a women’s prison in Alaska) aimed at helping incarcerated individuals prepare for successful reintegration into society. As a volunteer in this program, Dickson has likely contributed by speaking with and advising inmates on legal and life skills, demonstrating compassion and a focus on second chances. She also volunteers for “MLK Law Day” events as mentioned, which often involve providing free legal information or services to the public.

Within the court system, Judge Dickson takes on mentorship and training roles. She serves as a Magistrate Training Judge, meaning she is responsible for training and guiding newly hired magistrate judges in Alaska. (Magistrate judges handle minor offenses, small claims, and preliminary matters in the state court system.) In this capacity, Dickson has reportedly trained multiple magistrates since around 2016. Furthermore, she has acted as a mentor to a newer district court judge, indicating her willingness to share knowledge with judicial colleagues. Dickson’s commitment to youth is evident in her role as an Alaska Youth Court judge. The Youth Court program allows teenagers to run a peer court for minor offenses committed by youth, and Dickson’s involvement as a judge in that forum helps educate and guide young people in the justice process.

Overall, her affiliations and volunteer service portray a judge who is deeply engaged with her professional community and the public. She balances her official duties with efforts to improve the legal system and community outcomes, whether by championing professional development for women lawyers, aiding in rehabilitation programs for offenders, or fostering legal understanding among Alaska’s youth.

Awards and Media Coverage

As of this writing, there are no widely publicized awards or honors specifically noted for Judge Leslie Dickson. She has not been reported as receiving any particular prizes or formal recognitions from bar associations or civic groups in the public domain. However, she has earned professional recognition in the form of positive performance reviews and retention endorsements. The Alaska Judicial Council, for instance, has unanimously recommended her retention in office during review cycles, finding her to be qualified and noting no concerns in areas such as ethics or timeliness. These endorsements by the Judicial Council and strong survey ratings from attorneys and jurors can be seen as a form of professional accolade, indicating that her work is held in high esteem by those who observe it.

In terms of media coverage, Judge Dickson has appeared in local and national news outlets on occasion, usually in connection with her judicial duties. The most prominent media coverage of her came from the 2019 case involving Ron Alleva (the businessman fined for spreading chemicals near a homeless shelter). This case was covered by the Anchorage Daily News and picked up by the Associated Press, with Judge Dickson’s sentencing decision – including the fines and public safety message it sent – highlighted in headlines. The coverage portrayed her as a firm but fair arbiter enforcing laws that protect the community’s vulnerable members. Additionally, her aforementioned interview about jury duty scams in 2023 received broadcast and online news attention, further raising her public profile. Through that coverage, she was depicted as a concerned public servant, proactively informing Alaskans about how the court actually operates and cautioning them against fraud.

Beyond case-related news, Dickson occasionally is noted in legal-community media (such as the Alaska Bar Association’s newsletter) when she participates in events like judicial conferences or swearing-in ceremonies. These appearances, while not mainstream news, add to her media presence by demonstrating her involvement in the broader legal community. It is also worth noting that during election seasons for judicial retention, voter guide websites and nonpartisan groups often publish brief profiles of judges, including Judge Dickson, summarizing their background and performance. Such profiles typically echo the information provided by official sources – noting her appointment in 2012, her career roles, and the judicial council’s recommendation to vote “Yes” on retaining her.

In summary, Judge Leslie Dickson may not seek the limelight, but her work has been recognized through strong professional evaluations and has drawn media attention when it intersects with matters of public interest. Her steady career and community-oriented service have established her reputation as a respected district court judge in Anchorage.

Sources:

• Alaska Court System – “Meet Alaska’s Judges” profile for Judge Leslie N. Dickson
• Alaska Judicial Council – Judicial performance evaluations and retention reports for Judge Dickson
• Anchorage Daily News – news article on the 2019 chemical exposure case (Anchorage company fined)
• Associated Press via CityNews – report on Judge Dickson fining Ron Alleva in 2019
• Alaska’s News Source (KTUU) – interview with Judge Dickson warning about a jury duty scam (Dec 2023)
• Alaska Bar Rag (April–June 2023) – coverage of Judge Dickson speaking at Judge Laura Hartz’s swearing-in
• Alaska Judicial Council – historical records of judicial appointments (2011–2012 report) confirming Judge Dickson’s appointment date.