David J. Sperbeck graduated from the University of Rochester in 1982 with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.  He completed a pre-doctoral internship in neuropsychology at the Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester, N.Y. and a post-doctoral internship in neuropsychology at the V.A. Medical center in Bath, N.Y.  Dr. Sperbeck’s doctoral dissertation investigating the effects of age and personality on neurocognitive processing throughout the lifespan was awarded the American Psychological Association’s Student Research Award in 1982.

In May of 1982, Dr. Sperbeck was appointed forensic psychologist for the State of Alaska in all criminal matters, a position he held from 1982-2005 during which time he conducted more than 2000 forensic psychological evaluations for the municipal, state, and federal courts. 

Over the past 36 years, Dr. Sperbeck has served as an expert witness in more than 1000 civil litigation cases.  He has authored more than 100 professional presentations and/or peer-reviewed journal articles pertaining to forensic psychology and clinical neuropsychology.

Tonja Woelber is a senior partner in the firm Woelber & Cole, LLC.    She has practiced law in Alaska for 38 years, both criminal and civil litigation and appeals.   Her practice emphasizes estate planning, probate and trust administration, protective proceedings, business law and real estate.   She graduated from Northeastern Law School in 1980 and Harvard University in 1977.   

Since 1966 Marieann Vassar has been employed as a court visitor, primarily within the third judicial district, currently serving, Anchorage, Kodiak, Dillingham, and Naknek. As a court visitor, Marieann is appointed by the court as a neutral investigator in adult guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, and makes recommendations tot he court as to whether guardianship and/or conservatorship is appropriate, based on the capacity and needs of the individual. If appropriate, she also recommends a person, state agency or private entity to serve as guardian and/or conservator for the individual. Marieann also participates in psychotropic medication hearings at Alaska Psychiatric Institute. In that role, she makes recommendations to the court as to whether the respondent/patient has the capacity to give or withhold informed consent for medications. 

Sharon K. Wells graduated from University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1971 with Bachelor degree in sociology with concentration in social welfare.  In 2008 she graduated from University of Kansas with Masters degree in gerontology.  She worked 25 years for the State of Alaska as a social worker with last 18 years as the social worker at the Anchorage Pioneers’ Home.    She is licensed by the State of Alaska as a guardian and conservator and is a National Master Guardian through the National Guardianship Association.  She has worked as a private professional guardian since 2001.

Judge Gandbhir has served on the Anchorage Superior Court since 2018.  She grew up in an extended Indian family outside of Boston. She received her B.A. in English and Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College and her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. In 1993 she moved to Anchorage where she practiced in the areas of estate planning, probate, disability and elder law until joining the court system as a Magistrate Judge in 2013. Governor Bill Walker appointed her to the Anchorage Superior Court on July 20th, 2018. She is a member of the Alaska Supreme Court’s Fairness and Access Commission and serves on the Cultural Competence Committee. She is also a member of the National Association of Women Judges.