As an employee of the Idaho State Bar (“ISB”) and an editor for The Advocate, I was excited to start the new year introducing our new Executive Director to the members of the Bar and helping our readers to know her a little bit better. So, on January 2^nd and with a cappuccino in hand, I was able to ask her some questions related to her vision for where the Bar is headed and her care for the members of the Bar.

Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your background.

A. I was born in the Midwest, raised in the Southwest, and educated in the Northwest. I’ve lived in Idaho for 20 years now, and I’m a member of the Idaho Bar. After I graduated from Gonzaga Law School, I took the Washington Bar but shortly after took the Idaho Bar in 2005 (2025 marks my 20-year anniversary as a member of the Idaho Bar).

I moved to Idaho to clerk for the Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court. After that, I was in private practice for about five years. I then spent about a year at the Ada County Prosecutor’s office before coming to the Bar in 2011.

Q. What motivated you to work for the Idaho State Bar?

A. I was looking for a way to use my legal skills to serve the profession—a public interest job but outside the traditional legal practice. I wanted to leverage my connections and legal skills in a unique way.

I’d been involved with the Bar since I moved to Idaho. I was the chair of the Young Lawyers Section and was on the Fourth District Bar’s Law Day Committee. Working at the Bar always seemed like interesting work, akin to student council in a way that I had always done growing up. To be within the profession but serving it.

Q. What issue or issues do you believe are most important to the public right now? How do you plan to address their concerns?

A. There’s a need for attorneys around the state. When I was traveling for the Roadshow in November, I talked with attorneys who said they were so busy and needed other attorneys to move to their areas to do all types of legal work. There is also a need for attorneys to do pro bono work. I think it’s important to have these conversations with people in their local communities to see how the Bar can address their needs.

Q. What do you believe the ISB is doing well?

A. We have a great team of talented staff that are committed to helping the members and the public. We do a good job providing opportunities for in-person engagement that mean something to people. For example, in 2025, revamping the Annual Meeting is an exciting opportunity to create programs that people are eager to attend in-person to network and be together because of something we produce.

Q. In what areas does the ISB need to improve?

A. A priority I have, having worked here, is to modernize some of our systems. We need to think about technology. Are we using it in the best manner? I want to improve our members’ digital experience with the Bar. When our lawyers have to engage with us electronically, I want it to be a positive, straightforward, intuitive process.

Q. What is something people may be surprised to learn about you?

A. I was an NCAA Division 1 college athlete at Gonzaga University (conference champions, go Zags!). I also speak un peu de Français and passable Italian.

Q. What are you passionate about outside of work?

A. Obviously, my family! But I also love to travel. My husband is a pilot (and member of the Bar) and we’re able to travel to lots of new places, see new things, and meet amazing people across the world. I am fascinated by different cultures and the many different ways you can live life.

I love reading and learning about history and also love the outdoors, especially backpacking in the Sawtooth Mountains and the White Clouds Wilderness. There’s nothing like reaching a summit and looking down at a high alpine lake; one of the best feelings in the world. Idaho has some of the most beautiful spots to hike to!

Q. What message do you want to convey to ISB members?

A. I’m excited to work with everyone in this new role! I want the Bar to be relevant and meaningful. We rely on so many great volunteers to perform the important work that we do so I’d love to continue building relationships with people. I’d like to work with younger attorneys to show them how meaningful getting involved with the Bar can be for them and how we, as the Bar, can create opportunities for them.

As I took the last sip of my cappuccino and our interview came to a close, I saw her care for Idaho’s attorney’s and excitement to be at the helm as we look to the year ahead. Maureen expressed her desire for anyone to reach out with feedback or questions. Her email is mrbraley@isb.idaho.gov.

Carissa A. Carns currently works in the Communications Department at the Idaho State Bar. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a double bachelor’s in history and English, and spends too much of her time trying to craft the perfect pour-over.