John McKay is a poet and playwright, with a master’s of fine arts degree in poetry from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He graduated from University of Michigan Law School in 1975, after earning a master’s degree in journalism, and working briefly for the Detroit Free Press. He clerked for a federal judge for two years, then came to Alaska in 1977. McKay has represented most Alaska news media, and many national news organizations, as well as journalists, photographers, artists, and others. He taught First Amendment and media law as an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage for over 30 years. In 2007, McKay was the first recipient of the Alaska Press Club’s First Amendment Award, and in 2011, on its 40th anniversary, he was honored as one of “40 Heroes of Constitutional Rights” by the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska. He is the father of two grown sons, Martin and Cameron, and his sweetheart Cristy Miller is also a UU member.