In the Matter of Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Summary

The court held that ANDVSA qualifies as a "public agency" for purposes of the statute requiring the Office of Public Advocacy to represent an indigent party in a child-custody dispute when the opposing party has publicly provided counsel. It reasoned that the governing precedent focuses primarily on the organization's public funding, and that ANDVSA's nearly entirely governmental funding and lack of meaningful distinction from the previously recognized organization made the appointment proper. Justice Stowers, dissenting, would have declined to extend the prior precedent to ANDVSA absent clearer analysis or legislative direction.