Former AG named as Bering Straits counsel

Former state Attorney General Craig Richards has been named vice president and general counsel for Bering Straits Native Corp., one of Alaska’s twelve regional Native corporations.

“Really, what convinced me that it was the right place for me was just meeting everyone and seeing what a good rapport and good team environment they have, and the ability to help out the Nome region,” Richards told the local Nome public radio station.

Richards was appointed to the new job after completing two contracts with the state after resigning as the state Attorney General last June. The first state contract was for $50,000 to consult the state on oil and gas issues, and the second contract was for $10,000 to advise on fiscal and other issues.

Richards was Gov. Bill Walker’s law partner prior to Walker’s being elected and was named by the new governor as the state’s lead lawyer.

Richards told his radio audience in Nome that he’ll miss being involved in state issues, “as someone that’s had a history in finance and economics - and oil and gas in the state. It’s probably been since the early ’70s that we’ve had the kind of (state fiscal) issues that have to be tackled that we do now,” Richards said.

“So, not being a part of that is going to be, you know, a disappointment but on the other hand, I’m also excited to move on to the next thing.”

Richards said his new job won’t conflict with the state law that bars former state officers from working for two years on matters that they participated in personally and substantially.

He said his new duties will be mainly on commercial issues and very different than his old job. Richards reports to Bering Straits CEO Gail Schubert, and will provide counsel on legal matters, including legal compliance and risk management.

- TIM BRADNER