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2023 Denise O’Donnell Day Pro Bono Awards
The late Denise O’Donnell Day, and namesake of this award, was a titan of pro bono service to underrepresented Idahoans. Her legacy of service, dedication to her community, and overall standard of professionalism in practice are pillars for any member of the Idaho State Bar to aspire to. Each year, we honor Denise’s legacy by awarding attorneys in each judicial district with the Denise O’Donnell Day Pro Bono Award, recognizing their admirable decisions to prioritize pro bono service in their practices. In addition to providing biographical information, this year’s recipients were asked the following two questions:
Why is pro bono work important to you?
What would you say to encourage other attorneys to do more pro bono work?
Jamila D. Holmes
First District
Why pro Bono: “Pro bono work helps ensure access to justice; and it is very rewarding to be able to help others.”
Encouraging Other Attorneys: “The impact a couple hours of your time can have is powerful.”
Jamila Holmes is a deputy prosecuting attorney with the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Civil Division. She is a graduate of Boise State University and the University of Idaho College of Law and served as law clerk to the Honorable John T. Mitchell. Jamila is a graduate of the Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers and is a member of the Idaho Law Foundation’s CLE Committee. She is admitted to practice in Idaho and Washington.
Jennifer M. Tengono
Second District
Why Pro Bono: “Pro bono work is important to me because I grew up in a low-income household, and I understand firsthand what it is like living paycheck to paycheck. It fuels my desire to use my skills and resources to make a positive impact in the lives of others, particularly by providing much-needed assistance and support without people having to worry about how to pay for those services. I strongly believe in the power of giving back and view it as a privilege rather than a duty. By engaging in pro bono and other volunteer work, I have the opportunity to contribute to my community and aid others in need.”
Encouraging Other Attorneys: “The greatest thing about pro bono work is that it can be tailored to your ability and expertise. Engaging in pro bono work can be as simple as participating in a phone clinic, offering assistance in document drafting, or providing guidance on legal matters by answering a few questions. While organizing a clinic or undertaking a complex legal case are excellent options, even dedicating a single hour of your time can make a significant impact in support of a worthy cause. Every act of pro bono service, regardless of its scale or complexity, is invaluable and greatly needed in our communities.”
Jennifer is a U.S. Army veteran who earned her law degree from the University of Idaho College of law in 2020 with a dual emphasis in Native American law and natural resources and environmental law. Since graduating from law school and being admitted to the Idaho State Bar in October 2020, Jennifer has primarily worked in private practice for sole practitioner Susan R. Wilson, focusing on real estate matters, small business formation, estate planning and probate, adult guardianships and conservatorships, and municipal law. Jennifer also provided legal representation to several municipalities, including the cities of Troy and Deary, as a contract City Attorney. In November 2022, Jennifer left private practice and began working as the Civil Assistant City Attorney for the City of Lewiston, joining a wonderful team of attorneys who serve the City of Lewiston.
Jennifer has also been the Treasurer of the Second District Bar Association since March 2020 and she has been on the University of Idaho’s Military and Veterans Advisory Committee since September 2020.
Debra L. Raymer
Third District
Why Pro Bono: “When I applied to law school, I wrote, “Rural populations deserve Harvard Lawyers.” Then I proceeded to work 35 years in downtown Chicago. I feel like pro bono is the fulfillment of that promise I made 40 years ago.”
Encouraging Other Attorneys: “When you retire, it will be great to not have to deal with clients. For about a year. Then you will miss the chance to use the knowledge you gained over the last 40 years. In addition, you will be dealing with a group of clients that really appreciate your efforts.”
Debra graduated from Harvard Law School in 1981. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar the same year. Debra worked in the Estate Planning Department at McDermott, Will & Emery and Bank of America as Assistant General Counsel. Debra retired in 2017. Debra’s family had been coming out to Tamarack for 15 years to ski and they eventually realized summers in Idaho are terrific too. Debra moved to Idaho in 2021 and soon thereafter applied to become licensed as an Emeritus Attorney to provide pro bono legal services.
Erin N. Fuller
Fourth District
Why Pro Bono: “I chose to practice law because I wanted to help others. There are many people in our community who need representation but lack the financial means. I believe pro bono work is important because financial barriers should never inhibit one’s ability to obtain said representation.”
Encouraging Other Attorneys: “Some of your most rewarding clients and cases will be the ones you represent pro bono. Remember what made you choose to pursue law in the first place. If you’re anything like me, it was to help others and be of service to your community. There is no greater feeling than helping those who would have no representation if not for attorneys who are willing to offer their services pro bono.”
Erin earned her bachelor’s degree from Boise State University in political science with an emphasis in public law and political philosophy in 2015 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2018. She began her career practicing Oil and Gas Mineral Title Law in Texas before moving back to Idaho and being admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 2020. Erin has been practicing family law at Leavitt Ryan since December of 2020.
Shannon N. Romero
Fourth District
Why Pro Bono: “I love volunteering at clinics like Interfaith because they serve individuals who do not otherwise have access to legal services. People with limited financial means are routinely denied access to legal services and remedies because of their financial status but are disproportionately subject to the burdens of the legal system. Most days, I can help someone just by referring him or her to another agency or another attorney who can help with their specific problem. Often, people just want to have their stories heard and their concerns validated. Even if I can’t help someone because their problems have no legal solution or remedy, I can provide a sympathetic ear.”
Encouraging Other Attorneys: “The unmet legal needs in our community far exceed existing resources. While there are good organizations providing legal assistance to individuals who can’t afford an attorney, they are limited by the types of cases and clients they can help. IVLP is a great place to volunteer because IVLP does not deny services to anyone based on the legal problem or issue involved. IVLP attorneys get to help clients with issues that run the gamut from family law to social security benefits to the reduction of criminal charges. I can help a client with on-the-spot advice if the problem is simple, provide the client with a referral, or take on a more significant role. And when I meet with a client who has a legal problem outside my expertise, IVLP gives me access to skilled and knowledgeable attorneys who provide me with the information and guidance I need to help address the client’s problem. In addition, IVLP clinics are offered at various locations and days so I can always find a clinic that works with my schedule. And I can’t say enough about IVLP staff. They are amazing and do a great job of ensuring clients are matched with the right attorney at each clinic.”
Shannon earned her law degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and was admitted to practice law in Idaho in 1998. Shannon was a trial public defender for the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association in Salt Lake City for seven years before clerking for Judge Alan Schwartzman at the Idaho Court of Appeals. She has been with the Idaho State Appellate Public Defender’s Office since 2007 and is currently chief of the capital litigation unit.
In her free time, Shannon can be found enjoying the Boise foothills with her husband, John, and their rescued Great Pyrenees, Kevin.
Patricia M. Migliuri
Fifth District
Why Pro Bono: “People need help, especially in stressful, complex situations. The law is difficult and without pro bono work, many folks would be completely adrift. It’s important to me to be able to help people navigate their complex legal situations.”
Encouraging Other Attorneys: “Pro bono work can be as rewarding as you want it to be. You can volunteer as little or as much as you are able – there are so many opportunities to volunteer time and knowledge. We got into this profession to provide a service to our community; pro bono work is a great way to provide that service to people who would otherwise never have access to our knowledge and experience in the law.”
Patricia went to Gonzaga University for her undergraduate degree (go Zags!), and then graduated from Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon. After graduating from law school, Patricia moved to Idaho and clerked for Judge John K. Butler in Jerome. Patricia entered into private practice after her clerkship and has been practicing primarily in family law since. Patricia is a partner at Migliuri & Rodriguez PLLC in Twin Falls and enjoys providing legal counsel in a variety of matters, including family law, guardianships, criminal defense, and general estate planning. Patricia has served on the board for the local chapter of the Inns of Court for years and is a past president of the Fifth District Bar Association. When Patricia is not out working on the farm, she enjoys the great outdoors hiking, hunting, fishing, and backpacking with her children.
John D. (“JD”) Oborn
Sixth District
Why Pro Bono: “Engaging in pro bono work allows me to feel connected to my community. I enjoy working with people and addressing issues that are not part of my regular professional practice. As well, it allows me to represent people that may not otherwise have access to the legal system or to effectively have their voice heard because of economic and procedural barriers.”
Encouraging Other Attorneys: “I would particularly encourage new lawyers to engage in pro bono work because it usually gets you into a courtroom early in your career and gives you opportunities to interact with attorneys and judges in person. It also stretches you to practice outside your usual area of practice and to learn new skills.”
JD Oborn was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. He joined the Idaho National Guard in 2003 and served a tour in Iraq. He then attended Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating cum laude in 2013. While in law school, JD worked as a certified student attorney for the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office child support enforcement division, where he handled over 500 child support establishment, paternity, and divorce proceedings. After graduation and upon returning to Pocatello, JD clerked for the Honorable David C. Nye in the Sixth Judicial District. JD now has the privilege of working at Cooper & Larsen, Chtd., where he has learned how to practice law from, as JD puts it, two of the finest attorneys in the state: Gary Cooper and Reed Larsen. John currently serves as the vice president of the Sixth District Bar Association, and he sits on the Board of the Idaho Association of Defense Counsel.
Camiliana Wood
Seventh District
Why Pro Bono: “Pro bono is important to me because the law serves everyone, and everyone should have access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. For many years, I have worked with marginalized, at risk, and vulnerable populations in a variety of capacities. The individuals in these populations often need the most legal assistance, but often cannot afford to hire an attorney or seek legal counsel. Pro bono work is one way I can ensure justice serves those who need it most.”
Encouraging Other Attorneys: “I do not think anyone achieves success without the help of others. I often think about where I am now, and all the mentors, family members, professors, and others who sacrificed their time, talent, and energy to help me succeed. There is no possible way I could repay them for all they have done, but I can pass it on. So, I encourage other attorneys to give back for all that has been given to them by doing a little pro bono work. If that is not enough of a reason (or it seems too sappy), here are a few more reasons: it helps develop your legal and interpersonal skills, it gives you experience in a variety of legal areas, you can network, and it just feels good to help others. Still not enough? Then here is a guilt trip – How much time do you spend on social media, watching TV/movies, or playing video/phone games? You could probably take an hour from one of these important activities to help someone else.”
Camiliana Wood is a deputy prosecutor for Bingham County. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, graduating in sociology with an emphasis in behavior analysis, socio- and psycho-pathologies, deviancy, and delinquency. She then graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School, focusing on alternative dispute resolution and criminal law. Camiliana obtained a certificate in Global Arbitration Law and Practice from Queen Mary, University of London. Camiliana passed the Idaho Bar Exam in February of 2022.
Camiliana dropped out of high school and left home at the age of 16 and as a result, she encourages others to succeed by volunteering in and coordinating programs and activities that promote education and lifelong learning. Over the last 30 years, Camiliana has been heavily involved with a variety of community organizations and worked extensively with an array of programs for local libraries, local schools, and other local groups.
Camiliana continues to, and loves studying social law issues, socio- and psycho-pathology, behavior, and addictions. Most importantly, Camiliana loves spending time with her husband and three sons, two daughters in-law, and two grandchildren.