Each year the Idaho State Bar presents the Professionalism Award to recipients who have devoted their careers to the practice of law in a way that upholds the highest standards of civility and professionalism. Each of these individuals embodies a reputation of mutual respect and camaraderie with their colleagues. In addition to submitting biographical information, each recipient was asked to respond to the following questions:

What ideals or values do you let guide your professional life? And, what advice would you give your younger self as you entered your law practice or began your career?

Megan O’Dowd – First District

Values: I was fortunate to begin my legal career under the mentorship of Marc Lyons, who modeled the kind of lawyer—and person—I aspire to be. Marc received this same award during my first few weeks in private practice, and what stood out most was not just his legal skill, but the respect and kindness he extended to everyone—even his fiercest adversaries.

That early example stayed with me. I try to keep it simple: treat others as I would want to be treated. While we are all committed to advocating for our clients, it’s important to remember that opposing counsel is also a human being—and often a neighbor, friend, or fellow member of our community.

Advice: Never let a client, supervisor, or partner pressure you into filing something—or communicating with the Court or opposing counsel—in a way that doesn’t sit right with you. There will always be more jobs, more clients, more cases, but you only get one reputation.

At the end of the day, you have to be able to look yourself in the mirror and feel proud of the work you’ve done. Protect that. It’s more valuable than any win.

Megan O’Dowd is an Idaho native who earned her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2010, graduating summa cum laude. She was admitted to the Idaho State Bar that same year and served her first year as a law clerk to the Honorable Justice Jim Jones of the Idaho Supreme Court. She has since built a diverse legal practice grounded in real estate and public agency law.

A former Realtor and daughter of a surveyor, Megan’s work naturally centers around real estate—including land use, title evaluations, development entitlements, and litigation. For over a decade, she has also served Idaho’s public-school districts and local public agencies, advising on contracts, personnel matters, governance, strategic planning and related matters.

In addition to her legal practice, Megan is a certified mediator and provides third-party investigation services across a range of matters. She brings a collaborative, solution-oriented mindset to every case, grounded in the belief that effective resolution begins by empowering parties to resolve their own conflicts.

Scott M. Chapman – Second District

Values: To always attempt to achieve the best result possible for my clients and to treat opposing counsel and parties with respect. Always be honest with the court, counsel, and clients.

Advice: Do not sacrifice your well-being or family in pursuit of your career. You can be a good lawyer without sacrificing those things!

Scott graduated high school at International School Moshi, Tanzania in 1975, Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon (go Ducks!) in 1979, Juris doctorate from the University of Idaho in 1985 (he is a proud member of the blue-collar study group). His practice has focused almost entirely as a trial lawyer starting out both as a criminal defense and personal injury attorney then progressing to almost entirely criminal defense.

Hon. Thomas W. Whitney – Third District

Values: Both as a lawyer and as a judge, I’ve worked to ensure that every litigant has a full and fair opportunity to have their case heard.

Advice: Be an aggressive advocate and zealously represent your client but always be fair to both sides. Pay attention to your work/life balance, and don’t let the practice of law negatively impact your relationships with your loved ones.

Judge Thomas Whitney was schoolteacher in Bonners Ferry before attending law school at the University of Idaho College of Law. Upon graduation, he hung out a shingle in Moscow, Idaho, and built a general litigation law practice there. Rural Idaho has been very good to him, and he is grateful for it. After 20 years in practice, he was appointed to serve as a District Judge in the Third District. He wanted to serve as a District Judge in a very busy courthouse, and he enjoys the people and the extremely intense pace of cases in Canyon County. His is grateful to have been welcomed so warmly in the Third District and to have been re-elected here in 2022. Judge Whitney currently serves as the Administrative District Judge for the Third District, on the Felony Sentencing Committee, as a Pro Tem Justice for the Idaho Supreme Court, and as a Statewide Mentor Judge.

Josh D. Hurwit – Fourth District

Values: The legal profession is a function of our nation’s commitment to the rule of law. Our system is designed and intended to bring forth the strongest arguments on both sides of an issue, and every single role—prosecution and defense, or plaintiff and defense, as well as the judiciary, the jury, and witnesses—is necessary for the system to function.  Especially during the heat of litigation, I try never to lose sight of the fact that we all have a critical role to play.

Advice: As a young lawyer, I felt compelled to decide what type of practice I wanted to pursue and to seek out opportunities to learn from lawyers in those practice areas. In hindsight, I have a deeper appreciation for how much I learned not just from those specialized litigators, but from all the attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals I had the privilege of working with.

Josh joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Idaho in 2012 as an Assistant United States Attorney.  He first served in the Civil Division before transferring to the Criminal Division, where he investigated and prosecuted complex cases involving financial fraud, environmental violations, and organized crime. In 2022, he became the presidentially appointed and Senate confirmed United States Attorney for the District of Idaho, a position he had the privilege to hold through February 2025. After departing the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Josh became a Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Latah County.

He graduated from Harvard Law School in 2006 and started his career in New York City, where he clerked for the Honorable Naomi Reice Buchwald of the Southern District of New York and was first admitted to the bar. Josh has worked at international law firms in both New York and San Francisco, and is a member of the Idaho, New York, and California bars.

Richard C. Mellon Jr. – Fourth District

Values: Try to be courteous and respectful toward those with whom you deal. If something (anything) feels wrong or dishonest, don’t do it!

Advice: Study the art of writing. “The Elements of Style” is a good start. Focus on the task at hand and what is realistically important within that task; this business can bewilder and overwhelm you if you don’t. Observe closely the practices and conduct of experienced lawyers but only adopt and apply what works for you. Don’t expect to succeed by ignoring or dismissing what doesn’t conveniently fit into the ideal construct of your case.

Richard graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1972. He moved to Idaho and began a two-year clerkship with Justice Allan Shepard in 1973 and then was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1974. Along with Bob Tyler and Jim LaRue, he joined the firm of Elam, Burke, Jeppesen, Evans & Boyd in 1975 and worked there until 1994, increasingly concentrating his practice in the field of insurance law. The partners at Elam, Burke who were most instrumental in my progress and maturation were Carl Burke, Allyn Dingel, John Simko, Jack Gjording, and John Magel. In search of a more balanced life, Richard joined State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company as in-house counsel in January of 1994 and worked there until his “retirement” in 2010. Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford were kind enough to invite him to join their firm in October of 2010, and he has worked there since, primarily in the field of insurance coverage analysis.

Laird B. Stone – Fifth District

Values: I do the very best I know how; the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out alright, what is said against me won’t amount to anything; If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference. (Abraham Lincoln)

Advice: Be civil with others; Keep your word (Honesty); Family comes first; Take time for yourself; Remember you can’t solve everyone’s problems.

Laird was born and raised in Gooding, Idaho, and graduated from Gooding High School. He is a proud Idaho Vandal, graduating from the University of Idaho in 1975 with a B.S. in Marketing. While at U of I, Laird was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. Laird obtained his J.D. in 1978 from the U of I, where he served as Attorney General for the student body. He is also a graduate of the College of Advocacy at Hastings Law School and the National College of Criminal Defense at the University of Houston.

Laird was admitted to the Idaho State Bar and all courts of Idaho in 1979. He served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Robert Newhouse. He then began his career as a litigator with the Ada County Public Defender’s Office in Boise. He later moved to Twin Falls and worked as an associate at the firm of Nelson, Rosholt, Robertson, Tolman & Tucker. In 1987, Laird joined the firm Stephan, Kvanvig, Stone & Trainor as Partner in 1987 and has been there ever since.

In addition to his regular practice with the firm, Laird serves as a mediator for all manner of disputes. He is an administrative hearing officer for Idaho state agencies.

When not at the office, Laird enjoys spending time with his wife, Vickie (a fellow Vandal and a fabulous baker), his two sons, AJ and Grayson (also Vandals), their wives and his grandkids. When not spending his time with his family, or playing a round of golf, Laird spends his time working to make his community better for all, particularly for children.

Laird practices in several areas of Personal Law, Business Law, Family Law, Divorce, State and Local Law, and Property Law. He has received many awards throughout his career, some of which include Ada County Employee of the Year in 1981 and the Idaho State Bar Service Award in 2015. He has served on many committees and volunteered his time in many ways through the years, including serving on the Idaho Law Foundation’s Board, and as an Idaho State Bar Commissioner and Bar President.

Hon. Rudolph E. “Rick” Carnaroli – Sixth District

Values: We should treat others with respect and in the way we wish to be treated, trying to reserve judgment and actively listening to them. We never really know what another person’s story is, what they’ve been through, what they are currently going through, all of which shapes how they appear to us when we might meet and interact. Kindness is never wasted on another person. Volunteerism is essential to community. The teachings of my parents and my coaches in sports developed an appreciation of the value of preparation and a good work ethic as keys to success.

Advice: I’d advise myself to find good work-life balance and to make more time for my family. Spouses, significant others and our children sacrifice so much when we get absorbed in the practice of law. Show the people in your life that you love them by you actions and attention to them. Even today, it remains difficult to leave my work at the office. At 67 years of age, I am still a work-in-progress trying to find good work life balance.

Judge Rick Carnaroli fell into a career in law after falling short of his then lifelong goal to play professional baseball. He was a 2 team NAIA Academic All American in baseball at Pacific University and was a a member of 1979 Team USA College Baseball team that toured Japan and Taiwan. He is a District Judge for the Sixth Judicial District, was appointed to the District Bench in January of 2018 by Governor Butch Otter. He is currently the Administrative District Judge for the 6th Judicial District, the Co-chairperson for Idaho’s Tribal Court State Court Forum, and serves as the Idaho judiciary’s representative on the Idaho Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Committee. Judge Carnaroli presides over the Sixth District Veterans Treatment Court and in the past have been temporarily assigned to preside over the 6th District’s DUI/Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Wood Court and Power County Drug Court. He was appointed as a Sixth District Magistrate Judge in 2004. Served on the Idaho Pro Bono Commission from 2008 to the present; as an Officer of the Idaho Magistrate Judges Assn. from 2013 until his appointment to the District Bench; and the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners from 2003 until 2006. He received his BA from Pacific University in 1980, his JD from Willamette University in 1985, he was admitted to the Idaho State Bar and the Idaho Federal Bar in 1985, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 1993, and the Supreme Court of the United States in 1999. Rick practiced for ten years in civil and criminal private practice as a trial lawyer with the law firm of Green Service Gasser & Kerl in Pocatello before taking a position as Chief Civil Deputy and Risk Manager for the City of Pocatello. He and his wife, Drema,  have four adult children, and two grandchildren, Jackson and Levi, and reside with our six dogs and two cats on ten acres in the mountains east of Pocatello.

Julie Stomper – Seventh District

Values: One of the many valuable concepts I took away from the ISB’s Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (“IALL”) is that we all have one or two values that guide both our personal and professional lives. All other professional values, such as integrity, excellence, and achievement naturally flow from those core values. My core values are honesty and growth. Striving to be better attorney, mother, friend, runner, human is immensely gratifying and grounding.

Advice: I would give my younger self three pieces of advice. First, always honor your core values above all else. It is wonderful to learn from mentors but don’t try to be them. Second, focus on constant and consistent improvement rather than perfection. Third, give yourself and everyone you meet as much grace as possible.

Julie was admitted to the Bar in 2006 after graduating cum laude from Gonzaga Law School. She had the good fortune to spend most of my career in private practice at the firm of Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA focusing on business, real estate and construction. Two and a half years ago, Julie took the opportunity to diversify my knowledge base by joining the brilliant team of in-house counsel attorneys at Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC working on issues in support of cutting-edge energy research. She recently opened a solo law practice, focusing on real estate and business transactions.