Meet the Legal Staff
BB&W's law clerks, paralegals, and legal assistants have well over 100 years of combined experience across the legal profession and are a vital element of the firm's continued success.
Mary G. Hodsdon
Lead Paralegal
Ms. Hodsdon is a lifelong Alaskan with over 15 years of experience as a paralegal. She has a paralegal certificate from Charter College and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree from Alaska Pacific University.
Avonna L. Murfitt
Paralegal
Ms. Murfitt is a certified professional legal secretary and an experienced paralegal with over 40 years of Alaska legal experience in nearly all fields of law, including general business, corporate law, employment issues, wills, estates, real estate, immigration, personal injury, appellate, and regulatory law. Ms. Murfitt’s vast experience with litigation case organization and trial preparation and her knowledge of applicable court rules and procedures, combined with a professional work ethic, make Ms. Murfitt an invaluable resource at BB&W.
Mindy R. Seay
Paralegal
Ms. Seay has over 15 years of experience with BB&W as a paralegal, and obtained her Professional Paralegal and Professional Legal Secretary certifications from NALS. She has excellent team management and delegation skills, as well as a strong understanding of the tools of modern trial technology. Ms. Seay has assisted Mr. Brena in many complex hearings and trials.
Liza A. Then
Paralegal
Karina J. Chambers
Paralegal
L. Jeanne McPherren
Law Clerk
Ms. McPherren has been a legal professional in Anchorage for 50 years and specializes in research and writing. She was classified as an associate attorney by the Department of Law for the Commissioners of the Alaska Public Utilities Commission and its successor the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Her tenure with the Commission spanned over 30 years during which she supervised the Commissioners’ immediate staff and was involved in editing and drafting many decisions. She also worked on adoption of many of the Commission’s regulations and was the regulations manager during her final years at the Commission. Before coming to BB&W, Ms. McPherren was a Local Government Specialist IV with the State Division of Community and Regional Affairs serving as staff to the Local Boundary Commission, which oversees all municipal boundary changes in Alaska.