Julie Kane, citizen of Eastern Band of Cherokee, and long-time employee of the Nez Perce Tribe Office of Legal Counsel received the Idaho Women Lawyer’s (“IWL”) Kate Feltham award. The award ceremony was held April 17, 2024, in Boise at the biennial IWL Gala. The Kate Feltham award was created by IWL in the early 1990s to honor Ms. Feltham as she was a pioneer for the women in law that came after her.

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Many women leaders have paved the path in Idaho, and Julie notes that it is truly an honor to be nominated for the Kate Feltham award. Feltham was known for her kindness, spirit of fairness, and her a special way of helping women who came to find themselves in trouble with the law.

This year’s winner of the Kate Feltham award was truly deserving of the award. Julie Kane has represented the Nez Perce Tribe for over three decades. Julie is currently the Managing Attorney for the Office of Legal Counsel for the Tribe. Beyond her professional career, Julie is a wife to her husband Dan, a mother to her children, Jon and Annie, and a loving grandmother. She is a mentor to several people, not just attorneys as several people trust her and look up to her.

Julie has had the opportunity to work with several different agencies and levels of government from state, tribal, federal, or private. Julie has been on several boards and committees throughout Idaho. Some of her passions include advocating for children and families on the Idaho Child Protection Committee or speaking on behalf of students on the University of Idaho College of Law Board or the Lewis and Clark State College Foundation. She also has a passion for voting equality as she is on the Nez Perce Tribe Get Out the Vote Committee and has presented on this issue throughout the state.

Julie has mentored many students over the years, including high school, bachelor level, or law students. Julie wants to see students succeed. Two ways she has shown this support are by creating the K. Heidi Gudgell Memorial Scholarship and the Nez Perce Law Student Scholarship. Ms. Gudgell was an attorney for the Nez Perce Tribe Office of Legal Counsel from 1996 to 2011 before retiring to spend time with her family and focus on her battle with cancer. Julie’s caring nature shows through her tireless leadership.

Julie has been integral in her work to advance and maintain the rights of the Nez Perce Tribe. As managing attorney, she manages several staff who have worked for over 15 years under her leadership. A few of these staff have resigned to work for other organizations but later returned to work for the Tribe and for Julie. This is a testament to her leadership ability and her capability to manage a law office with passion, kindness, and grit.

Julie states, “Our goal in the legal office is to do right by the Nez Perce people. Sometimes, we do need to take a position that may be in direct conflict to other parties, but the point is that we are searching for solutions to problems.  Being adverse or in conflict is part of that, but getting to the solution is the key. And, as Michelle Obama says, ‘When they go low, we go high’. I really try to live by that.”

Many notice that she has the ability to bring people together, she is a mentor and role model, or that she is instrumental in bringing diversity to the table. She recently was integral in creating awareness of racism in Idaho by gathering a group of women to create a walk in Cour d’Alene, called “Shawls in Solidarity.” This was right after an NCAA women’s basketball team was encountered with racist remarks during the March madness tournaments.

Julie was able to offer her words of wisdom during the IWL gala this past spring. Her words touched the hearts of many as she received two standing ovations. Julie admits, “We have work to do ladies.  We must not get complacent. The recent incident in Coeur d’Alene, where the Utah Women’s basketball team was racially targeted by young men with big pick-up trucks and Confederate flags. This is not acceptable.  As someone who has been a victim of racial animus, it stays with you forever. The theme ‘all of us’ means inclusion, that there is good in bringing people of all varieties to the table. Idaho Women Lawyers is a state leader in this principle. You are modeling diversity. I, for one, am grateful for that.”

Julie truly represents the theme “all of us” as the people who wrote her letters of recommendation for this award wrote about her ability to bring people together and of her leadership. “She is a leader, advocate for our youth, education, and equality. She is a role model and leads by example.”  “She challenges others to expand their traditional thinking about the practice of law.” “The rule of law is a cornerstone of any society but bringing diversity to how laws are created, interpreted, and enacted is critical. Julie has been instrumental in bringing that diversity.” And finally, “she has a unique ability to educate individuals rather than debate them. In this time of division, Julie brings people together.”

Julie is a great asset to the list of past awardees of the Kate Feltham award and is truly deserving of this recognition.  

For more information on how to join the IWL, this award, past winners, and the other awardees, please go to idahowomenlawyers.com/biennial-gala/.

Jeanette Moody is a staff attorney for the Nez Perce Tribe. Jeanette spent several years as a social worker before attending University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduating and passing the bar she first practiced for Idaho Legal Aid Services. Jeanette enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, traveling, and watching her children play sports.

Endnotes:

[i] Debora Grasham, “The First Women of Idaho’s Bench And Bar”, page 41-42.