Background

Charles Homer, also known as Chuck, is a true Idaho native who has contributed to the Idaho Falls community his entire life through his practice of law. Born and raised in Eastern Idaho, he now spends his winters in Arizona migrating back to Idaho as soon as the snow melts. Affiliated with his firm for 50 plus years, the defining characteristic of Chuck’s career has been an inspiring dedication to professionalism, a sentiment echoed by many.

Career Path

Chuck’s interest in the legal profession, he recalls, began in junior high when he assumed he would go into some kind of “profession,” but he didn’t like science, so he humorously determined “the medical field was out of the question.” In his eyes, that left the legal field. As he matured, he realized his love for rules and logic would be an asset in a career in law.

Chuck graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1967 then headed down to Provo, Utah for his undergraduate education. After earning his bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in economics from Brigham Young University, he returned to Idaho and attended the University of Idaho College of Law, where he served as articles editor for Law Review and clerked at Holden Kidwell Hahn & Crapo during his second and third years. After graduating summa cum laude, he returned to the firm for the duration of his lengthy professional career.

Chuck specialized in transactional law, specifically real property and commercial transactions. Half his time was spent on these matters, while the other half was spent on commercial litigation. Chuck humbly states, “None of my litigation was anything real earth shattering.” However, he was involved in several cases before the Idaho Supreme Court which reviewed and interpreted Idaho mechanic’s lien statutes. Chuck also obtained favorable opinions from the Idaho Supreme court on various corporate disputes, including breach of fiduciary duty, piercing the corporate veil and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Chuck does take pride in his time as the firm’s managing partner for 30-plus years.  A testament to his patience, he mentions, “That was a pretty good accomplishment, just being able to keep all those attorneys happy for all those years.” He also has represented national and international corporate clients who have stayed with him for most of his 50-year legal career.

Outside of Work

Chuck and his wife, Marci, have four children and nine grandchildren. Their oldest daughter is a labor and delivery nurse at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City; their next daughter is a school administrator in Idaho Falls; their oldest son is a social worker and counselor in Idaho Falls; and their youngest son is an attorney practicing in “the big leagues” in Manhattan. Chuck dedicated his life to both his career and his family, leaving little time for “real hobbies.” Instead, he mastered, at the cabin with his family, building campfires, landscaping, loading and unloading kayaks, guiding boy scouts, and cooking pancakes on a grill.

Though he doesn’t recall a long list of traditional hobbies, Chuck has been active in quite a few Bar activities while also dedicating his time to several civic service clubs. He served three terms on the Idaho Law Foundation’s Board of Directors, during two of the three terms serving as President. He served for several years on the University of Idaho College of Law’s Law Advisory Council, including two years as chairperson. He has also served on the steering committee, and as chair for the Access to Justice Idaho campaign. As he begins to wind down his practice, Chuck’s current project is serving on the Board of Directors and as co-treasurer for the Community Fund of Sun City West—a charitable organization that provides funding for individuals living below the poverty line.

Chuck has received several accolades and awards throughout his time in practice. Chuck notes, “It’s one thing to be a really good attorney, a good litigator, and to win cases; but it’s also important to be someone people can trust and respect.” He received the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award for the Seventh District, the Eagle Rock Inns of Court Professionalism Award, and the Idaho State Bar Professionalism & Ethics Section’s Richard C. Fields Civility Award. When recounting the awards he’s received over the years, he humbly mentions his gratitude for these honors, stating, “When I look back on the awards I’ve received, most of them have been for professionalism and civility. I am proud of this recognition because it says, ‘Not only are you a good attorney; you’re a good guy.’”

Role Models

Chuck Homer’s has had many personal mentors and role models including his father and grandfather. He states, “They taught me to work hard. You name a job and I’ve done it.” The labor was physically demanding and taught him important lessons in doing a job well which shaped him early on.

In his professional life, he mentions how fortunate he has been to have several powerhouse leaders in his firm: “Three of the attorneys in my firm have received the Distinguished Lawyer award as well—Bill Holden, Terry Crapo and Fred J. Hahn. They have all been my mentors.”

He mentions that Fred Hahn taught him that opposing counsel was not the “enemy” and to connect with people: “We spend too much time dancing around what needs to be said. Just talk to me like a person.” He also said Bill Holden taught him to practice law with civility and to be a gentleman. He described Terry Crapo as a rare individual who was both humble and charismatic, with an IQ that was off the charts.

When discussing additional topics, Chuck reflects on the importance of the rule of law and our judiciary. He states, “As attorneys we have a duty to respect and enforce the rule of law so that everyone is subject to the law equally and recognize no one is above the law.  It is important to recognize how much we rely on our judges to interpret and enforce the rule of law. The Idaho Judges I have worked with have always been dedicated to the rule of law, unbiased and professional.”

Chuck believes Idaho attorneys are privileged to be served by the Idaho State Bar and Idaho Law Foundation, which are among the best in the nation. He expressed his thanks to the Idaho State Bar for recognition this year as a Distinguished Lawyer. Chuck considers this recognition an honor and a privilege.

Lindsey M. Welfley is the Communications Director of the Idaho State Bar, overseeing all communications-related initiatives of both the Bar and Foundation. She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a B.A. in history in 2015 and has worked for the Bar ever since. Lindsey lives in Boise with her husband, their two daughters, and two pets.