OUR FIRM HISTORY

From its beginning, our firm has displayed the unique flexibility and pioneer spirit of Alaska, the Great Land. Hughes Gorski Seedorf Odsen & Tervooren, LLC, is one of the oldest and most respected law firms in the State of Alaska. Our firm has traditionally emphasized tort and commercial litigation. We also offer a full range of legal services throughout the state. Hughes Gorski Seedorf Odsen & Tervooren has a strong commitment to its clients and to the community.

Hughes Gorski Seedorf Odsen & Tervooren was founded in 1939, twenty years before Alaska’s statehood, by Edward Davis and William Renfrew.  Located in Anchorage, Davis & Renfrew grew with Alaska by building a solid reputation for professionalism. Throughout the 1940's and 50's, our founding partners served territorial residents and businesses in real estate, fishing, timber, mining, transportation, and construction.

During the 1950's, John Hughes, who had been practicing law in Kodiak, and David Thorsness joined the firm. When William Renfrew retired in 1957, Alaska was still a territory.   Two years later when the state superior court system was established, Edward Davis left the firm to serve as a judge.  The firm became Hughes & Thorsness.

In the 1960’s the firm saw the beginning of a new era of expansion and bustling growth for the new state. Richard Gantz (former attorney for the City of Anchorage) and Robert Lowe were added as partners.  James Powell and Brian Brundin joined the firm and became partners in 1970.  The firm name for many years was Hughes Thorsness Gantz Powell & Brundin.  Subsequently, the firm name was changed to Hughes Thorsness Powell Huddleston & Bauman, LLC.  With an ever increasing population, oil discoveries in Cook Inlet and Prudhoe Bay and the challenge of statehood, Alaska provided unique and interesting legal problems.

The firm adapted to a decline in the economic cycle of the state in the 1980's and early 1990's by taking advantage of the efficiencies afforded by rapid advances in information technology during that same period, and centralized over the years to our current location in Anchorage, Alaska.  The emergence of Anchorage as an international commercial, financial, and transportation hub allows us to serve clients efficiently and effectively throughout Alaska, in the contiguous United States, and internationally.

In 2005, the firm name changed to Hughes Bauman Pfiffner Gorski & Seedorf, LLC, to recognize our senior practicing members of the firm, while retaining John Hughes’ name in recognition of the connection with our past. The firm also relocated to the top floor of the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation building at 3900 C Street in Anchorage. The firm has established itself among the top tier Alaska firms by maintaining high standards of legal and ethical professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The majority of our attorneys have been practicing law in Alaska for 20 years or more.

Effective October 1, 2007, we changed our name to Hughes Pfiffner Gorski Seedorf & Odsen, LLC, to reflect the appointment of the Honorable Carl J. D. Bauman to the Kenai Superior Court.

Effective January 1, 2010, we changed our name to Hughes Gorski Seedorf Odsen & Tervooren, LLC, to reflect the appointment of the Honorable Frank A. Pfiffner to the Anchorage Superior Court.