River E.M. Sterne

River E.M. Sterne is an associate at Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP in Anchorage who focuses on Alaska Native Law and Environmental and Natural Resources matters. His practice includes Alaska Native corporate and tribal law, civil litigation, fisheries law, and municipal law. River provides research-driven guidance on issues involving governments, natural resources, regulatory frameworks, and disputes. His work reflects experience with Alaska legal institutions and matters that connect land, resources, tribal interests, and public law.

River earned a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2023, graduating summa cum laude with an Environmental and Natural Resources Law Certificate. He earned a B.A. from Whitman College in 2017. In law school, he served as Submissions Editor of the Lewis & Clark Law Review and participated in Native American law and public-interest organizations. His academic work developed a strong base in legal research, environmental issues, tribal law, and written advocacy.

River clerked for Justice Dario Borghesan of the Alaska Supreme Court before joining private practice. His earlier legal experience included work for the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government, a summer associate position at Kanji & Katzen, P.L.L.C., and an externship with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Those roles gave him exposure to tribal governance, fisheries, environmental regulation, appellate analysis, and the practical legal needs of Native communities and resource-related organizations.

River E.M. Sterne is admitted in Alaska and Oregon and is a member of both state bar associations. He has been recognized in Alaska Legal Elite since 2025 and writes on Alaska Native and subsistence law developments. River combines recent appellate clerkship experience with focused work in Alaska Native, environmental, fisheries, and municipal matters, helping clients understand legal frameworks and respond to issues where government authority, natural resources, and community interests intersect.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP
• Member, Alaska Bar Association
• Member, Oregon State Bar
• Member, Alaska Legal Elite (2025-Present)

Licensed State

• Alaska
• Oregon

Education

• Lewis & Clark Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD) (Summa Cum Laude)
• Whitman College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges