---
title: "David A Nesbett | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-a-nesbett-superior-court-judge-alaska-superior-court-anchorage-ak"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# David A Nesbett

Alaska Superior Court, Judicial District 3 · Superior Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Alaska Superior Court, Judicial District 3
- State: Alaska
- Role: Superior Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-10-02

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Anchorage Superior Court judge since 2023; appointed September 19, 2023, by Governor Mike Dunleavy
- Anchorage District Court judge, 2019–2023; appointed March 21, 2019, by Governor Mike Dunleavy
- Shareholder, Nesbett & Nesbett, PC, 2011–2019
- Associate, Dorsey & Whitney and Jermain Dunnagan & Owens, 2007–2010
- Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant District Attorney, 2004–2007
- Judicial law clerk for U.S. District Judge H. Russel Holland, 1998–2000

### Education

- Wesleyan University, College of Letters — B.A.
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law — J.D.

### Additional information

- Next judicial retention election: 2026.
- On September 18, 2026, denied expedited consideration of Sarah Short’s ballot-access lawsuit.
- The lawsuit remained open as of September 29, 2026; absentee ballots had begun mailing on September 18.
- Assistant Municipal Prosecutor, Anchorage, 2001–2004.
- Later requests for emergency relief were also denied.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### photography filming recording

Scope: statewide

Alaska generally prohibits photographing, filming, and recording in courthouse common areas unless an application is approved, while separate courtroom and adjacent-area rules remain governed by Administrative Rule 50 and Administrative Bulletin No. 45.

Evidence excerpt: Except as specifically authorized by this order, photographing, filming, and recording are permitted in common areas inside the courthouse only upon the issuance of an approved application.

[Presiding Judges' Statewide Order on Use of Cameras and Electronic Devices in Common Areas of Court Facilities](https://courts.alaska.gov/jord/docs/2023/statewide-electronic-devices.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### courtroom media requests

Scope: statewide

Alaska states that media may request permission from a judicial officer for coverage inside a particular courtroom or adjacent area, and the judicial officer rules on those requests.

Evidence excerpt: not intended to interfere with or restrict the rights of the media to request permission from a judicial officer to allow media coverage within a particular courtroom or adjacent area

[Presiding Judges' Statewide Order on Use of Cameras and Electronic Devices in Common Areas of Court Facilities](https://courts.alaska.gov/jord/docs/2023/statewide-electronic-devices.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://courts.alaska.gov/judges/docs/dan.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://courts.alaska.gov/judges/docs/dan.pdf)
- [Alaska Court System official judicial roster](https://courts.alaska.gov/judges/docs/dan.pdf)
- [Presiding Judges' Statewide Order on Use of Cameras and Electronic Devices in Common Areas of Court Facilities](https://courts.alaska.gov/jord/docs/2023/statewide-electronic-devices.pdf)
- [Hearings & Trials](https://courts.alaska.gov/trialcourts/hearings.htm)
- [ajc.alaska.gov](https://ajc.alaska.gov/judges/judgemain.html)
- [courts.alaska.gov](https://courts.alaska.gov/judges/)
- [ajc.alaska.gov](https://ajc.alaska.gov/judges/judgemain.html)
- [courts.alaska.gov](https://courts.alaska.gov/jord/docs/2023/statewide-electronic-devices.pdf)
- [courts.alaska.gov](https://courts.alaska.gov/judges/)
- [courts.alaska.gov](https://courts.alaska.gov/judges/docs/dan.pdf)
- [courts.alaska.gov](https://courts.alaska.gov/trialcourts/hearings.htm)
- [ajc.alaska.gov](https://ajc.alaska.gov/judges/judgemain.html)
- [courts.alaska.gov](https://courts.alaska.gov/jord/docs/2023/statewide-electronic-devices.pdf)
- [courts.alaska.gov](https://courts.alaska.gov/judges/)
- [courts.alaska.gov](https://courts.alaska.gov/judges/docs/dan.pdf)
- [courts.alaska.gov](https://courts.alaska.gov/trialcourts/hearings.htm)

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## Biography sources

- [Alaska Judicial Council — appointments and retention](https://ajc.alaska.gov/judges/judgemain.html)
- [Alaska Governor — Superior Court appointment](https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-appoints-public-defender-anchorage-superior-court-judge/)
- [Sarah Short ballot case — September 2026 report](https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/09/29/judge-rejects-anchorage-state-house-candidates-challenge-to-august-state-primary-result/)


## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Presiding Judges' Statewide Order on Use of Cameras and Electronic Devices in Common Areas of Court Facilities](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-4195c4aa8c36145cd11c25b9) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://courts.alaska.gov/jord/docs/2023/statewide-electronic-devices.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
