Barbara Simpson Kraft is a longtime Alaskan with roots in the state and contacts throughout. She represents a diverse group of clients in the state, including ANCSA corporations, hospitality entities, fishing companies, healthcare providers, and state agencies. No matter the client, Barbara enjoys learning the ins and outs of the business in order to provide practical legal advice with business goals in mind. She believes in taking personal time to visit client sites when possible to gain the understanding that comes from having walked a parcel. She served as Chair of the firm’s Real Property Practice Group (and Co-Chair after it merged with the environmental group) from 2017 – 2021.

Barbara’s practice is split between real estate advice, including entitlements work, and corporate advice. She handles all aspects of real estate ownership, including acquisition, financing (purchase, construction, and long-term), permitting and entitlements, construction, occupancy issues (including leasing), and sales. Barbara regularly advises clients needing assistance before state and local agencies on permitting, entitlement, and leasing issues in Anchorage as well as in remote areas of the state. She represents owners, developers, contractors, investors, banks, and purchasers.

On the corporate side, Barbara’s practice involves mergers and acquisitions, stock sales, governing document drafting and amendments, and presentations on fiduciary duties and other issues necessary for a board of directors to properly govern a corporation. She advises small, closely held companies with only a few directors, as well as corporations with boards of 25 or more. In addition, she prepares loan documents for secured and unsecured loans with various types of collateral.

Recognition

• Named one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” by Chambers USA in Corporate/M&A Law (Alaska), 2003-2024; Real Estate (Alaska), 2009-2024; Received “Band 1” ranking in Real Estate (Alaska), 2019-2024
• Named “Lawyer of the Year” in Mergers & Acquisitions Law (Anchorage) by Best Lawyers, 2017
• Named “Lawyer of the Year” in Corporate Law (Anchorage) by Best Lawyers, 2024
• Named one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Corporate Law by Best Lawyers, 2006-present; in M&A Law, 2007-present; in Real Estate Law, 2015-present
• Selected to “Alaska Super Lawyers” in Business/Corporate, Real Estate and Land Use/Zoning, Thomson Reuters, 2007-2011, 2013-2023

Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
• Alaska Bar Association
• Chapter L-Alaska, Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), 1984-present

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

From coast to coast, we remove roadblocks to complex transactions. Developers, investors, financial institutions, management companies, large tenants, and brokers rely on us to get the full range of deals done nationwide quickly and cost-effectively. We have particular experience in public-private partnerships, siting essential public facilities, and development from the ground up. And we combine a full-service team with a commitment to relationships to ensure our lawyers create opportunities, not obstacles.

From our long experience as a leading firm in real estate, we know the business and political leaders in our communities and are respected by opposing counsel whose cooperation and trust help complete projects. We are zealous advocates, but with a respectful approach that smooths the path for you and preserves your reputation in the community.

Our commitment to relationships is probably why most of our clients come through referrals, including from those on the other side of past transactions. We even serve as real estate “matchmakers” by introducing clients who then join forces on large projects.