50 Years in Alaska: A Small Firm with a Big Commitment
For fifty years, Kelley & Canterbury has stood with injured Alaskans—through long winters, muddy breakups, busy summer roads, and everything in between. Our story is simple and rooted here: two local attorneys, a family legacy of service, and a promise to treat every client like a neighbor.
How It Started
In 1975, Michaela Kelley’s father opened his own small personal injury practice, initially handling everything from real estate to criminal matters before evolving into a personal injury practice. He developed a straightforward mission: help people who’ve been hurt navigate a complex system with clarity and dignity. That spirit still guides us today. Michaela and her husband, Chris Canterbury—both raised here, both connected to Alaska’s hockey community—carry the torch as a two-attorney firm focused on personal injury and wrongful death cases.
What “Small Firm” Really Means
“Small” isn’t a limitation; it’s a choice. We are small but mighty! When you call us, you work with your attorneys—not layers of strangers. Two legal minds look at the strategy, the evidence, the insurers’ playbook, and the path to a fair result. We move quickly when time matters, and we take the time to explain what to expect so you’re never in the dark.
- Direct access: You’ll know who’s handling your case and how to reach us.
- Two-attorney attention: We review the details together to strengthen your case.
- Local judgment: We know Alaska roads, seasons, insurers, and medical networks.
- Contingency fee: We don’t get paid unless you do.
50 Years of Alaska-Tough Context
You can try to learn about injury law from Google or AI, but you learn even more about the nuances of Alaska law from half a century of real life in Alaska:
- Winter driving and studded tire season: Black ice on bridges, one-headlight drivers and sharing the road with inexperienced drivers demand clear, practical guidance after a crash.
- Long distances and limited specialists: Coordinating medical care, therapy, and documentation across communities takes planning and persistence.
- Work, sport, and everyday hazards: From no sand on the icy sidewalks to drivers from out of state who have never driven on ice and snow, we’ve seen how quickly an ordinary day can change—and how to document the truth when it does.
Community Matters
Fifty years isn’t just court filings—it’s people. Our family has deep roots in local hockey, and we’re proud to support the Anchorage Wolverines and youth development around the state. We also launched the Curiosity Scholarship, a $1,000 annual award for an Alaska college student. There’s no GPA minimum; applicants submit a short essay and a 2–4 minute video. It’s a way to honor the mentors and neighbors who helped us, and to invest in students who ask good questions and show courage.
If you’re a student—or you know one—keep an eye on our site and social channels for the 2025 application window.
What Clients Say They Value Most
After five decades, certain themes show up again and again in client feedback:
- Straight talk: We translate legal language into plain English.
- Responsiveness: Calls returned. Emails answered. Updates shared.
- Steady guidance under pressure: Medical bills, adjuster calls, time off work—we help you prioritize and protect your claim.
- Respect: You’re not a case number. You’re a neighbor who deserves to be heard and helped.
A Practical Approach to Hard Days
We hope you never need an injury attorney. But if you do, here’s what to do first:
- Call 911 and request medical help.
- Document everything: Photos/video of vehicles, injuries, road and weather conditions, and witness info. If the police can’t show up due to high call volume, file your own report online and keep a copy of your report.
- See a doctor promptly and mention the exact incident that caused your injury.
- Be cautious with insurers until you understand your rights.
- Call us for a free consultation. We’ll listen, explain options, and map next steps.
Looking Ahead: The Next 50
What does the next half-century look like? The tools will change—dashcams, electronic medical records, telehealth—but our job won’t. We’ll keep doing what a small Alaska firm does best: answer the phone, meet you where you are, and fight for a fair result with skill and care.
If you’re reading this because something hard just happened, we’re sorry you’re going through it. When you’re ready, call (907) 276-8185. You’ll speak with our team, not a call center. We’ll help you make a clear plan.