Proven Litigators, Trusted Advisors

Navigating civil agreements can be difficult. If you are making or defending a claim on a contract or other civil agreement, contact 907 Legal today. Whether you require litigation or another type of dispute resolution, we will help you understand your case and protect your interests.

 

50+ years of combined litigation experience

Award-winning legal representation

Proven litigation success in Alaska

Trusted business advisors

No-obligation consult

Don’t take a chance on an untested legal team when your rights at stake. 907 Legal has helped Alaskans maximize their claims in the below areas:

Business disputes

Whether it’s breach of contract, a failure to perform or pay, or the myriad other issues that arise between businesses, 907 Legal has you covered. Our attorneys are adept at identifying effective, efficient, and expedient solutions so you can focus on your business and not someone else’s.

Breach of contract

Whether it was an agreement based on a handshake or it was heavily negotiated between represented parties, a deal is not always a deal. At 907 Legal we move quickly and strategically to protect your interests.

Verbal Agreements

Most types of contracts don’t need to be in writing to be valid. Knowing which do, and what rights you have under a verbal agreement can mean the difference between recovering under your contract and walking away empty handed.

Civil rights cases

The Bill of Rights provides citizens important protections, but sometimes it takes a lawyer to enforce them. Whether it’s excessive force, your right to freedom of speech, or discrimination at work, 907 Legal strives to protect your civil rights and punish those who abuse them.

Commercial Law

907 Legal advises businesses and prospective businesses on everything from entity formation to contract litigation. We use our experience litigating commercial disputes in the courtroom to keep you out of it so you can focus on your business.

Defamation, Libel and Slander

In a small town, reputation is everything. If you’ve suffered damages as a result of false claims posted on the internet or elsewhere, let 907 Legal fight to clear your name and protect your hard-earned reputation.

Fair Value & Corporate Dissolution

Winding up your business can present many opportunities for conflict between shareholders, creditors, customers, and others. 907 Legal knows how to help you avoid trouble – and how to get you out of it when trouble finds you.

Commercial Tort

Tortious interference with your business interests can wipe out revenues and destroy your competitive advantage. If you’ve suffered damages because of unfair competition or interference by rivals or others, 907 Legal’s attorneys will fight to recover what is yours.

NDA, NCD and other restrictive covenants

Non-disclosure and non-compete agreements are not quite as simple as they appear. Poorly drafted and overly broad covenants that fail to account for evolving Alaska and Federal laws risk being thrown out entirely. Whether you need a bullet-proof employment agreement, to enforce or understand your existing agreement, or need to get out of an agreement that was too restrictive, 907 Legal can help identify and protect your rights.

Trust litigation

Trusts are often established during the best of times without an eye to future conflict. As a result, they can be poorly drafted and fail to account for what happens when things go bad. Ambiguous and broad terms can have serious impacts on beneficiaries and their entitlements. 907 Legal’s attorneys know how to protect your interests and interpret trusts to maximize your claims.

Employment discrimination

If an employer has discriminated against you based on your religion, gender, race, color, national origin, physical or mental disabilities, changes in marital status, pregnancy, or parenthood, 907 Legal will fight for your civil rights and help you recover your losses.

Intellectual property

Protecting your intellectual property and enforcing those protections can make or break your business. Don’t let others benefit from your hard work and imagination. 907 Legal’s attorneys can help you navigate the complex IP process to secure and protect your creative output.

50+ years of combined litigation experience

 

Award-winning legal representation

 

Proven litigation success in Alaska

 

Trusted business advisors

 

No-risk consult

I was wrongly accused by a state institution…When representatives of the state institution opted to play hardball, Josh knocked it out of the park.

Civil Litigation FAQs

How much will it cost? Is it expensive to litigate?

907 Legal knows that winning your case means more than just an X in the WIN column; it means litigating efficiently, cost-effectively, and expediently. Our attorneys will work with you to establish goals, timelines, and budgets that fit your individual case, and use our experience to help predict your outcomes. Call us to schedule a no-obligation consult to get an idea of what that means in your case.

Do I have a winning case?

Google can’t tell you if you have a winning case, but our attorneys can determine the probable outcomes in your matter and help identify the best ways to proceed. You can learn a lot about your odds during a consult at 907 Legal.

What if I only have a verbal agreement?

Most types of contracts don’t need to be in writing to be valid. Knowing which do, and what rights you have under your verbal agreement, can mean the difference between recovering pursuant to your contract and walking away empty handed. You can find out if your verbal agreement is enforceable, and how to enforce it, during your consult at 907 Legal.

How long will it take to win my case?

Every case is different, but our attorneys can quickly determine the probable outcomes in your case and help identify how long it may take for you to recover. You can learn a lot about how long your case might take during your consult at 907 Legal.

Do I have to go to court?

Ehrhardt, Elsner, & Cooley spend their time in court so you don’t have to. The vast majority of court appearances we will handle for you and many of our clients at 907 Legal never have to step foot in the courthouse.

When is the right time to file a civil complaint?

Before the statute of limitations runs! Every case is different, but every case should be filed before the statute of limitations expires and this varies depending on the type of civil complaint you need to file. At 907 Legal our attorneys can advise you on the timelines specific to your case during your consult.

How do I know if I "have a case"?

Having a case and having a case worth pursuing are not always the same thing. At 907 Legal, our attorneys can help you identify what causes of action you have and more importantly, what remedies are available. Call us to schedule a consult to discuss whether you have a case worth pursuing.

Can I sue for defamation of character?

Absolutely. If someone is spreading falsehoods and damaging your reputation or credibility, you likely have a cause of action for defamation. In some instances, depending on the nature of the false information being spread, you may not even need to prove damages. At 907 Legal we can tell you whether you have a case of defamation, or defamation per se during your consult.

Is civil litigation right for me?

Generally, people try to avoid litigation. It can be time consuming, emotionally draining, and unpredictable. However, not everyone can settle their differences without court intervention or a judge’s input. So whether litigation is a client’s first choice, last resort, or if it is used in conjunction with out-of-court processes like mediation, there really is no one size fits all when it comes to deciding which process is best for you.

 

For this reason, consulting with civil litigation attorneys is important. Sitting down for your consult with one of our litigation attorneys will generally give you a good idea about the facts of the case and your legal options so that you can make an informed decision about how you want to proceed.

How is litigation different than out-of-court processes like mediation?

Out of court processes like collaborative law and mediation are closed processes that are confidential. Litigation is the opposite. In addition, with litigation there is less control over the process and outcome – everything is left to a judge or jury to decide. That said, there are many litigated cases where the civil litigation attorneys and the parties are cooperative and are able to avoid trial and resolve the case by agreement. Civil litigation attorneys who are able to accomplish this often have training in collaborative law and mediation.

 

For this reason, consulting with civil litigation attorneys is important. Sitting down for your consult with one of our litigation attorneys will generally give you a good idea about the facts of the case and your legal options so that you can make an informed decision about how you want to proceed.

Your best strategy starts here.

Protect your rights. Win your case. Secure your future.

Schedule Your Consult

Our attorneys have a broad range of skills and expertise. With a combined 50 years of experience, you can be sure you’re getting the best legal advice on the Kenai Peninsula.

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Peter R. Ehrhardt

Attorney at Law – of Counsel

Peter graduated from the University of Minnesota law school in 1980. He moved to Alaska the same year and began working for a small personal injury firm in Bethel. He founded 907 Legal to meet growing demand on the Kenai Peninsula.

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Katie A. Elsner

Attorney at Law

After graduating cum laude from Northwestern Law, Katie continued developing her practice at the Miami Dade Public Defender’s Office and then with Alaska Legal Services and as a contract attorney on the Peninsula.

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Josh B. Cooley

Attorney at Law

Josh shaped his practice in Miami, where in his first year he received the Statewide Public Defender College Best Advocate Award. In less than five years, he moved from the Juvenile and Misdemeanor Crimes Divisions to being an “A” Felony Attorney.


Phone: (907) 283-2876
Fax: (907) 283-2896
Email: peter@907legal.com

Peter R. Ehrhardt

Peter Ehrhardt, Attorney at Law, graduated from the University of Minnesota law school in 1980. He moved to Alaska that same year and began working for a small personal injury firm in Bethel, Alaska. In 1983, Mr. Ehrhardt moved to Sitka, Alaska, and worked for a small general practice firm there. In 1984, Mr. Ehrhardt moved to Kenai, Alaska, where he resides today.

In 2002, Peter started a Kenai law firm to meet growing demand on the Kenai Peninsula. Since then, the office has expanded to include three local attorneys committed to providing honest, accommodating, and timely service throughout the Kenai Peninsula. Peter continues to fight for his clients’ rights and support the staff to this day.


Phone: (907) 283-2876
Fax: (907) 283-2896
Email: katie@907legal.com

Katie A. Elsner

Katie completed her undergraduate education in 2004 at New York University where she graduated cum laude. Katie then went on to the prestigious Northwestern University School of Law. It was here that Katie learned, while working on death penalty cases, that the client is the most important focus in each and every case.

After graduating cum laude from Northwestern Law, she continued developing her practice at the Miami Dade Public Defender’s Office. During her five years in Miami, she represented thousands of adult and juvenile clients charged with misdemeanor offenses, like DUI and assault, to life felonies, including homicide and sexual assault. She was a founding member of the Task Force on Forensic Litigation and received national attention when she was featured on an episode of the A&E TV show ‘After the First 48’ where she successfully convinced a judge to dismiss her client’s murder case.

Having grown up in the mountains of Colorado, Katie ultimately decided to leave Miami for the scenery and seasons for which Alaska is so well known. Since arriving in the Kenai area, she has worked for Alaska Legal Services, where she expanded her practice to include civil litigation in areas such as divorce and custody, child in need of aid, probate, protective proceedings and estates and later provided the same services as a contract attorney at Walton, Theiler & Winegarden. From attacking eye-witness identifications and the forensic sciences to resolving a family dispute, Katie is adept at litigating the particular issues involved in your criminal or civil case. With experience trying dozens of jury and non-jury trials, negotiating hundreds of case resolutions, and taking thousands of depositions, Katie is a vigorous advocate who will fight for you.


Phone: (907) 283-2876
Fax: (907) 283-2896
Email: josh@907legal.com

Josh B. Cooley

Josh Cooley, Attorney at Law, graduated from the The George Washington University Law Center in Washington, D.C. While in Law School, Mr. Cooley fell in love with criminal defense and Alaska while interning at the Alaska Public Defender Office here in Kenai.

Immediately after graduating, however, Mr. Cooley set out to shape his criminal defense and litigation practice in one of the biggest and busiest markets in the country: Miami. In his first year, he received the Statewide Public Defender College Best Advocate Award. In less than five years, Mr. Cooley moved from the Juvenile and Misdemeanor Crimes Divisions to being an “A” Felony Attorney handling only murder, attempted murder, armed robbery with a firearm, and “capital” sexual battery cases. Those first four years of Mr. Cooley’s practice helped shape him into the seasoned, aggressive, and strategic litigator that he is today.

Mr. Cooley has conducted over 1,000 depositions and defended more than 50 cases at trial. Mr. Cooley has defended clients charged with crimes including: murder, attempted murder, DUI, armed robbery, theft, burglary, home invasion robbery, mortgage fraud, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, fleeing and eluding, drug possession, distribution, and trafficking, assault, sexual assault, and all manner of domestic violence allegations. While in Miami, Mr. Cooley was a founding member of the “Task Force on Forensic Litigation,” and conducted presentations and training to attorneys on how to defend against weapons and drug charges.

Peter’s Cases of Note

EXXON VS. BAKER

Peter was a member of the plaintiffs’ trial team which obtained a $5 billion verdict in the Exxon Valdez litigation. For his work on that case, Mr. Ehrhardt, as a member of the trial team, received the 1995 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, a national organization of trial lawyers.

GLACIER BAY

Peter was co-council in Re: Glacier Bay, a class action arising out of a 1987 oil spill in upper Cook Inlet which resulted in a $51 million settlement.

SITKA PULP MILL

Peter and a very small team of lawyers aggressively researched and challenged the odds to win the fight against the pollution causing factory in the early 90’s.

Katie’s Cases of Note

STATE V. SOSA-PALMA

Mr. Sosa-Palma was accused of murdering his brother. If convicted, he would have spent the rest of his life in prison. By challenging and attacking the forensic, medical, and crime scene evidence, Katie was able to successfully convince the judge that, despite the State’s theory of the case, Mr. Sosa-Palma was acting in self-defense. When the Judge granted Mr. Sosa-Palma’s request for immunity under Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law, Mr. Sosa-Palma’s murder charge was dismissed and he was released from jail.

STATE V. RANDALL

Successfully challenged a CSSD administrative child support order leading to the reversal of tens of thousands of accrued child support arrearages, invalidating an administrative driver’s license suspension for non-payment of support and securing a dismissal of criminal charges for driving while his license was suspended.

MERRILL V. MERRILL

Prevailed on a theory of equitable rescission at trial resulting in the client keeping sole possession of all of the property acquired during the marriage without having to divide anything with his former spouse.

STATE V. WASHINGTON, ET AL

Challenged the constitutionality of Florida’s controlled substance laws and obtained a court order on behalf of over 30 defendants finding the statutory scheme unconstitutional and dismissing their cases. Although a stay was entered and the trial court reversed on appeal, the cases were able to resolve with negotiated resolutions that avoided felony convictions and lengthy prisons sentences for the defendants.

Josh’s Cases of Note

STATE V. T.D. (2016)

T.D., a juvenile, was charged with multiple sexual assault charges carrying mandatory minimum penalties upwards of 20 years per charge. Mr. Cooley was able, through the use of an expert and pretrial management, to provide substantial mitigating evidence to the District Attorney. In the end, T.D.’s case was handled in juvenile court and he was placed on probation, avoiding a lengthy adult prison sentence and a lifetime of sex offender registration.

STATE V. HYATT (2014)

Hyatt was charged with assaulting his wife with a kitchen knife. Mr. Cooley vigorously prepared the case for trial and presented his defense through cross examination of the State witnesses. At the conclusion of the State’s evidence Mr. Cooley was able to convince the Judge that no reasonable juror could find Mr. Hyatt guilty and the Judge dismissed the case.

The State, upset at having the assault thrown out, then sought to charge Mr. Hyatt with a DUI from an accident nearly a year prior. Mr. Cooley prepared legal briefing and filed it with the Court, arguing that too much time had passed to pursue the DUI. The State was eventually forced to dismiss the DUI as well.

STATE V. HENSEL (2014)

Hensel was charged with Felony Driving Under the Influence after being contacted in the driver seat of a truck stuck in the snow near Kasilof: he faced a minimum sentence of 3 years. At a pretrial hearing, Mr. Cooley was able to elicit testimony from the officer that conflicted with his prior reports and helped to show that Mr. Hensel had not in fact been driving or in physical control of the truck. Mr. Cooley was able to use these newly uncovered facts to convince the District Attorney to drop the charges.

STATE V. MOBLEY

Whitaker was charged with two counts of Murder in the shooting death of two individuals outside of a Chili’s restaurant in Miami. Through the use of expert witnesses and tireless preparation, Mr. Cooley was able to present evidence at a pretrial hearing that Whitaker had acted in self-defense. The Trial Court refused to grant Whitaker immunity from prosecution, but the Court of Appeals was persuaded by the evidence Cooley put forth in the hearing and granted Whitaker immunity from prosecution.

Trusted civil litigation lawyers in Kenai, Soldotna, Sterling, Kasilof and across the Kenai Peninsula providing award-winning legal representation for breach of contract, defamation, libel and slander, intellectual property, employment discrimination, and civil rights cases