About Susan R. Pollard
Susan is a member of the Alaska Bar and Washington State Bar and is licensed to practice in Washington and Alaska.
Susan R. Pollard Law, PLLC provides legal services to businesses and government entities that wish to understand more about regulatory process and substance.
Susan started her legal career working on oil and gas royalty litigation for a Juneau, Alaska law firm. While her children were young, she formed Pollard Paralegal, a Juneau-based legal research firm. Later she joined the Department of Law, Alaska Attorney General’s office, Civil Division. She started in the Oil, Gas, and Mining Section where she focused on oil and gas tax matters, in particular the Alaska Oil and Gas Properties and Production Tax (AS 43.55). She was lead attorney on legislative drafting for legislative oil and gas tax reforms. In this capacity, she drafted legislation, provided legal advice on offered amendments, and analysis of the legal effect of proposed changes. This work required understanding past legislative history as well as technical proficiency in drafting. Further, the work often required a quick turnaround and an ability to think creatively about how to best draft proposals to meet client goals. She learned how to listen to assess client needs, identify possible stakeholders, and offer practical paths forward to achieve client goals. Susan formed Susan R. Pollard Law, PLLC (a Washington professional limited liability company) in late 2021. She continues to build awareness of her services and settle into life in Washington state.
In 2014, Susan was appointed Chief Assistant Attorney General of the Legislation and Regulations Section, and Regulations Attorney (AS 44.62.125). There she supervised drafting of Alaska executive Branch legislation in all matter of subject areas. As regulations attorney, she was responsible for final review of executive branch regulations (again, in all matter of subject areas) to ensure they meant legal and process requirements. Susan was able to handle a heavy workload but maintain high standards to assure that legislation met legal standards. Under her leadership, the section grew to include an attorney to handle budget legislation and an in-house drafting attorney position – the first at the Department of Law. This innovation allowed the section to continue to focus on legislative drafting and research in a way that optimized efficiency and work quality.
Susan also served as the Department of Law delegate to the National Conference on Uniform Laws (Uniform Law Commission) from 2014 until she left state service in 2021. There she participated in study committees on criminal justice reform, privacy, and technology. She was a member of the drafting committee for the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (2019, 2021). Susan currently serves in a volunteer capacity as an observer to ULC projects on public health emergencies and redaction of information for public officials.
Susan was continually impressed by the dedication and high standards of the Alaska Bar Members and was humbly honored when presented with the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors 2021 Professionalism Award (given to recognize an attorney who exemplifies the attributes of the true professional, whose conduct is always consistent with the highest standards of practice, and who displays appropriate courtesy and respect for clients and other attorneys. Alaska Bar Association website.)
Career
1985 to 2022
2004 – 2006 – Principal at Pollard Paralegal, Research Services, Juneau Alaska.
2007 – 2009 – PFD 1 Specialist, Alaska Department of Revenue
2009 to 2014 – Assistant Attorney General, Oil, Gas, and Mining Section, Alaska Department of Law, Juneau Alaska
2014 – 2021 Chief Assistant Attorney General and Regulations Attorney, Alaska Department of Law, Juneau, Alaska
2014 – 2021 – Chair and Alaska Department of Law Delegate to the Uniform Law Commission.
2022 – Formed Susan R. Pollard, Attorney, PLLC, Washington State
Education
1978 - 1985
University of Washington, Political Science, cum laude, 1982
University of Oregon, J.D., 1985