Judge Thomas A. Matthews: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Thomas A. Matthews is a judge for the Anchorage Superior Court in the 3rd Judicial District of Alaska. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Bill Walker on July 20, 2018, filling a seat vacated by the Hon. John Suddock.

The 3rd Judicial District includes Anchorage, Cordova, Dillingham, Glennallen, Homer, Kenai, Kodiak, Naknek, Palmer, Sand Point, St. Paul Island, Seward, Unalaska, and Valdez. Matthews has served as presiding judge of the 3rd Judicial District.

Prior to his appointment, he was a founder and shareholder at Matthews & Zahare, P.C. in Anchorage since 1994, where his practice focused on civil litigation.

Matthews received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1981. He then completed a J.D. at Lewis & Clark Law School in 1985.

After graduating from law school, Matthews began his legal career in private practice as an associate at Bliss & Riordan in 1985. He was named a partner in the firm six years later, practicing there until establishing his own law firm in 1994.

His memberships have included the Ethics Committee of the Alaska Bar Association and the Civil Pattern Jury Instruction Committee. He has also been involved with the Hope/Sunrise Historical Society and Museum Board and the Home-Sunrise Volunteer Fire Department.

Matthews has resided in Anchorage, Alaska, since 1985. He and his wife, Jane, have two grown children. In his free time, Matthews enjoys ice hockey, cooking, being outdoors, photography, travel, and spending time with family.