Michael R. Gatti

Michael Gatti joined Jermain Dunnagan & Owens, P.C. in December of 2015. He is Of Counsel to the firm and has over 30 years’ legal experience as a municipal attorney serving many Alaska municipalities.
Mr. Gatti also represents private clients in land use, employment, real estate, contract, and other matters.

Experience

Throughout his career, Mr. Gatti has advised clients on all facets of municipal law issues including federal and state constitutional issues, construction, labor and employment, conflicts, municipal governance, municipal incorporation, open meetings (“OMA”), land use, planning, and more. Mr. Gatti practices before all levels of the state court system as well as the U.S. District Court. He has successfully litigated issues before the Alaska Supreme Court resulting in published and memorandum opinions. Mr. Gatti has litigated numerous cases before the Alaska Superior Court and administrative agencies. He counsels municipal clients, including elected and appointed officials and departments on a daily basis. He successfully resolves complex municipal issues with local entities and state and federal agencies through negotiation and compromise. Mr. Gatti has served as Assembly Counsel to the Anchorage Assembly, providing advice on Anchorage issues. He has also served as Matanuska-Susitna Borough Attorney where he advised on local government and the school district, issues on a daily basis. Mr. Gatti currently serves as City Attorney for municipalities and is retained for special projects by cities and boroughs throughout the state of Alaska. Mr. Gatti works closely with municipal mayors, assemblies, city councils, managers, administrators, and departments and divisions to resolve municipal law issues. Mr. Gatti also assists private clients in resolving disputes between individuals and before governmental and private entities.

Mr. Gatti received his B.A. degree in Law and Society from the University of California at Santa Barbara, with high honors, and his J.D. degree from California Western School of Law. Mr. Gatti is admitted to practice in Alaska and Colorado and before the U.S. District Court in Alaska and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Gatti has been listed in Best Lawyers in America in the areas of litigation and municipal law since 2009. He was named 2014 Best Lawyers Anchorage Municipal Lawyer of the Year.