Michelle S. Nesbett

Michelle Nesbett joined the firm in 2020. She started her legal career as a prosecutor with the State of Alaska, where she honed her skills as an excellent trial attorney. After leaving the District Attorney’s Office, she opened and managed the law firm of Nesbett & Nesbett, PC for ten years. Her practice at Nesbett & Nesbett, PC consisted of a wide variety of civil and criminal matters. Ms. Nesbett's breadth of experience includes practicing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, False Claims Act Violations, government civil and Grand Jury subpoena responses, criminal defense, professional liability claims and representation before licensing boards. She now focuses her practice primarily on federal corporate and white-collar criminal defense, natural resources litigation and other complex civil litigation matters. In 2019, Michelle was awarded the designation of “Super Lawyer,” which recognizes those lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. In 2025, she was included in the 32nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America for her expertise in Appellate Practice. Michelle served as a Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative from 2021 to 2024. She also participates in her community, including previously serving as the Chair on the Board of Directors for Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys adventuring around Alaska with her husband and two daughters. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Michelle S. Nesbett included in a Super Lawyers® list Other Sources of Feedback About Michelle S. Nesbett Included on the 2019Alaska Super Lawyers list

• Partner

• Lead criminal defense counsel in successful defense of federal drug and gun charges carrying a 45-year mandatory minimum sentence. The court granted Michelle’s Motion to Suppress and dismissed all charges.
• Briefed and argued a successful Ninth Circuit appeal on complex subject matter jurisdiction grounds.
• Lead criminal defense counsel in successful defense of a government contractor in a federal criminal False Claims Act investigation– no prosecution.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of a government contractor in civil False Claims Act investigation – no prosecution fines imposed.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of a large corporation in wrongful termination and whistleblower claim- Motion to Dismiss granted.
• Successfully defended a defamation claim on First Amendment grounds.
• Represented many individuals in federal criminal prosecutions, including alleged money laundering schemes, cybercrimes, environmental and Lacey Act prosecutions, drug conspiracies, and civil forfeiture actions.

• Alaska
• U.S. District Court District of Alaska
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

• Anchorage Association of Women Lawyers
• Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center (2013-2024)
• Alaska Bar Association, Mediation Panel
• Alaska Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Executive Committee Member