Eric E. Wohlforth is a founder of the firm and guided its public finance specialty from its beginning in 1967, having practiced previously with Hawkins, Delafield & Wood in New York City. His initial Alaska involvement was litigating a post-1964 earthquake test lawsuit to establish the public purpose of state bonds to pay off mortgages on destroyed homes. Subsequently, the firm served as bond counsel in all public finance litigation in the state as it grew to represent most bond-issuing clients in Alaska.
Mr. Wohlforth served as Alaska Commissioner of Revenue from 1970 to 1972 investing $900 million in lease sale proceeds. From 1995 to 2006 he served on the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board of Trustees (the longest such service to date) and was elected vice chair and chair twice of that Board.
He currently serves as Chair of the University of Alaska Foundation Investment Committee, as well as a member of the UAA Chancellor’s and College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Boards. He is also a trustee of the Alaska Pacific University. He has been chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska since 1972.
Admitted to practice law in New York and Alaska, Mr. Wohlforth has an AB from Princeton University, a law degree from the University of Virginia, and master’s degrees from Loyola University New Orleans (religious education), Fielding Graduate Institute (organizational development), and the University of Alaska, Anchorage (Philosophy and English). In 2009, Mr. Wohlforth received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, in recognition of his civic engagement, dedication, achievements, and contributions to the state of Alaska.
Areas Of Practice:
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Banking & Finance Law
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Public Finance
Bar Admissions:
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Alaska
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New York
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U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
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U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
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U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 1959
Education:
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University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia, LL.B.
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Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, B.A.
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Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, M.R.E.
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Fielding Graduate Institute, M.A.
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University of Alaska, Anchorage, M.A.
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University of Alaska, Anchorage, Honorary LL.D.
Professional Associations and Memberships:
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Alaska Bar Association
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New York State Bar Association
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Member, Membership Committee
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The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
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American Bar Association
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National Association of Bond Lawyers
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Member, State Investment Advisory Committee
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Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation,
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Trustee, 1995 – Present
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Vice Chair, 1996 – 1997 and 2001-2002
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Chair, 1997 – 1999 and 2002-2003
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Anchorage Library Foundation,
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Member, 1981 – 1994
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Past President, 1981-1994
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William A. Egan Cancer Research Foundation,
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Trustee, 1984 – Present
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Episcopal Diocese of Alaska, Chancellor, 1972 – Present
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Alaska 20/20, Chair, Board of Directors, 2000 – 2005
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Fiscal Policy Council, Vice President, 2000 – Present
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University of Alaska Foundation,
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Member, Investment Committee, 2003 – Present
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Chair, 2004
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Alaska Pacific University, Trustee, 2004 – Present
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Commonwealth North, Board of Directors, 2004 – Present, President 2014