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? And, what encouragement would you give fellow attorneys to participate in pro bono work?

Ryan S. Hunter – First District

Why Pro Bono? “Pro bono work is important to me because it reminds me of the main reason I decided to join the legal profession; I not only wanted to help people with their legal issues, but I also wanted to educate them on the law and how it functions to better equip them to know when and where and how to get the help they need. For many people facing a legal issue, especially for the first time and especially for those with limited means, they don’t even know where to begin to address that issue. Pro bono work through advice and counsel clinics and proactive information efforts is an incredibly effective and efficient way to help address this front-line problem. It’s also an excellent way to promote more positive public sentiment towards the legal profession and its practitioners. We rely so deeply on our personal reputations that we sometimes forget to help promote and support the legal profession as a whole; pro bono work is a meaningful way to do that while helping real people with real needs.”

Encouragement: “My main advice and encouragement for other attorneys is to smash your excuses for not doing pro bono work. No matter who you are, who your client is, or what area of law you practice in, there are pro bono opportunities available to you if you are willing to look for them and try to make them work. As a municipal attorney, I learned this firsthand. I had long assumed that there was no real way for me to do pro bono work while representing government entities, so I didn’t bother looking for pro bono opportunities. But an Advocate article last spring about the Lawyer in the Library program reminded me of how much I enjoyed volunteering for the Street Law clinics in Boise a decade ago. So, I smashed my excuses and sent an email of interest to the Bar about starting a Lawyer in the Library clinic in North Idaho, had a frank and earnest discussion with my superiors to overcome the unique obstacles I faced in my position, and found a way to participate in some really meaningful pro bono work that was consistent with my duties as a government attorney. In short, there’s always a way to do some form of pro bono work if we’re willing to look for it, and trust me, it’s worth the effort to do so.”

Ryan S. Hunter is Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of Coeur d’Alene, which is a role he assumed in April 2024 upon the retirement of the former Chief Deputy, Wes Somerton. Ryan is originally from Pocatello, Idaho, and graduated from Idaho State University (Go Bengals!) in 2008 with undergraduate degrees in political science and international studies. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law (Go Vandals!) in 2013, after which he clerked for the Hon. John Melanson (ret.) of the Idaho Court of Appeals until 2015. Following a two-year stint at a private civil firm in Boise, Ryan returned to public service and made the jump to criminal prosecution by joining the Payette County Prosecutor’s Office in 2017. He spent four years prosecuting all manner of misdemeanor and felony crimes and assisting with a myriad of civil matters before moving up North in June 2021 to join the Coeur d’Alene City Attorney’s Office. Ryan currently lives in Spokane Valley, Washington, with his wife, Aisha, and their three boys, Liam (10), Bennett (8), and Macks (3); however, he hopes to move back into Idaho in the near(?) future. He enjoys cooking, gardening, learning DIY skills at Youtube University, and taking advantage of all of the outdoor activities available in the Pacific Northwest. The poor guy also suffers from an irrational devotion to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Kari E. Miller – Second District

Why Pro Bono? “I strongly believe that small steps can lead to big results. While my pro bono work might not change the world, it can bring a bit more fairness to a system that tends to favor those who cannot afford it. Most of us have felt powerless at one point or another and know how frustrating it can be when we can’t control what’s happening in our own lives. This feeling is all too common for my pro bono clients, who are often overlooked and underestimated. When faced with legal challenges, it’s important for someone to stand with them and give them a voice during these inherently difficult times.”

Encouragement: “To everything there is a season. If this isn’t your season to take on pro bono clients directly, maybe consider mentoring an attorney who can but lacks experience in your specific area. I am so grateful for the attorneys who willingly took the time to walk me through my first pro bono divorce case. These attorneys shared documents, answered legal questions, and helped with case management. They gave what they could – whether that was five minutes to answer a panicked text or email, or an hour for an in-office consult. While my pro bono work has been officially recognized this year, it was this generosity of time and knowledge that enabled me to work more effectively and assist more clients.

Kari Miller graduated summa cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2022. She was admitted to the Idaho State Bar that fall and to the Washington State Bar in 2023. She initially started with juvenile public defense, but recently shifted exclusively to family law.

Aaron L. Seable – Third District

Why Pro Bono? “The easiest thing to do is to support great causes, sign stirring petitions, endorse grand philosophies. The hardest thing to do – and it is getting harder all the time – is to be a good husband or wife, a strong father or mother, an honorable friend and neighbor […] The truly good deeds are the small, everyday actions of ordinary life. The employee who gives an honest day’s work; the employer who rewards loyalty and service; the stranger who stops to help someone in need; the craftsman who builds each house as if he were going to live in it himself[…].” John Q. Wilson, “The Moral Life,” BYU, April 21, 1994.

“Pro bono service gives an attorney meaningful opportunities to perform ‘small, everyday actions’ that may mean the world to his or her clients.”

Encouragement: “Winston Churchill said, ‘We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.’ Helping to resolve someone’s legal problem or fulfill a desperate legal need is rewarding. Service, generally, adds meaning and purpose to life. I believe every attorney has both the time and a duty to provide pro bono service, even if it comes with some measure of sacrifice. If that motivation is not enough, we should remember that each of us subscribed to a solemn oath that we would ‘contribute time and resources to public service,’ and ‘never reject, for any consideration personal to [ourselves], the cause of the defenseless or oppressed.’”

Aaron was born and raised in Caldwell, Idaho. As a young man, Aaron served a two-year mission for his church in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and speaks Spanish. He received his B.A. in international studies from Brigham Young University in 2002 and graduated cum laude from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU in 2005. After completing a judicial clerkship, Aaron joined Hamilton, Michaelson & Hilty, LLP in 2006 (now Hilty, Bower, Haws & Seable, PLLC), where his practice focuses primarily on estate planning and probate. Aaron spends most of his spare time with his lovely wife, Marcia, are their five children.

Donald Jageman – Fourth District

Why Pro Bono? “1) It provides a challenge in using my knowledge, experience and judgment;
2) It provides opportunities for meeting clients, attorneys, and expanding skills in court hearings; and
3) As an older person, mostly retired, it gives me the chance to exercise some of the brain.”

Encouragement: “The efforts of pro bono attorneys for people who have limited means to pay for representation improves the public’s opinion of attorneys; increases the chance that the case presented on behalf of the pro bono client will receive a full and fair outcome; allows the attorney to gain experience in new areas of the law; furthers their experience in legal research; and helps people who need legal advice.”

Donald Jageman received his B.A. in economics from San Francisco State University, then obtained his teaching credential from Hayward State University. He received his J.D. from Armstrong College of Law. Donald practices insurance defense, real property, family law, and landlord-tenant law. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1982 and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar with an emeritus license in 2023. Donald was a teacher in a school district in California for a little more than 10 years. During the last four years of teaching, he went to law school classes in the evening. His law practice was in California from 1982 to 2015 when his wife and he moved to Oregon. Their move to Idaho occurred in April of 2018.
Donald now keeps busy with the pro bono work, volunteering (Board Treasurer) for a non-profit that assists the blind and vision impaired, playing golf, and loving Idaho.

Zachary J. McCraney – Fourth District

Why Pro Bono? “Pro bono work helps promote justice and equality by ensuring that legal work transcends economic barriers. Many individuals and organizations cannot afford legal representation, and many people cannot advocate on behalf of themselves. By providing pro bono services, attorneys can help those with limited financial resources assert their rights and navigate complex legal systems, which leads to a more compassionate and equitable society.”

Encouragement: “Pro bono work is one of the most rewarding parts of practicing law. It offers us a unique opportunity to make a real difference in individuals’ lives and our communities. It provides us with invaluable professional development opportunities. And it allows us to fulfill our ethical obligations. Overall, pro bono work will positively reinforce your sense of purpose as a legal practitioner while allowing you to make a difference in our community.”

Zachary McCraney grew up in Boise and attended Boise State University. After graduation, he joined the military, where he spent five years travelling throughout the country as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. Although he enjoyed this experience, he knew he wanted to return home. So, after graduating from Notre Dame Law School in 2021, Zachary came back to Boise and started his legal career at Holland & Hart. Since then, he has been afforded the opportunity to work on a variety of complex business disputes, while at the same time engaging in important pro bono matters.

Ian K. Frost – Fourth District

Why Pro Bono? “I became a lawyer because I wanted to do good. I have found that the legal clinics put on by the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program is an opportunity to do just that. We all encounter people who are faced with problems that they feel ill-equipped to handle. I have found that most of the people who come to the clinic are on the right track and just need encouragement. Therefore, pro bono work is important to me because it is an outlet to empower folks to improve their own situation.”

Encouragement: “Most of what we learned in law school goes unutilized because we get pigeon-holed into a narrow practice of law. The pro bono work I do with the Lawyer in the Library program gives me exposure to a host of matters I would simply never engage with otherwise, and I enjoy the variety. If that sounds interesting to you, I encourage you to reach out to IVLP and sign up for the clinic.”

Ian K. Frost studied rhetoric and British literature at Brigham Young University before attending the University of San Diego School of Law. After law school, he worked at Mundell, Odlum & Haws, a civil litigation firm located in San Bernardino, California, whose practice includes education law, business and corporate law, and employment and labor law. He was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in May 2021.
For the past two years, Ian has worked as corporate counsel for The L&R Group, a midsized company regulated by the Idaho Department Of Environmental Quality. As the entire legal department, he is kept busy managing all compliance and policy matters for the company.

Anja R. Rodriguez – Fifth District

Why Pro Bono? “There is a huge legal need throughout Idaho for attorney assistance in legal matters. To help meet this need, I volunteer regularly at local legal clinics to assist individuals who need guidance and advice, but do not have the means to hire or consult with an attorney. These legal clinics help provide better access to justice and the courts. I believe it is a great privilege to be able to help those in need and provide a service for people going through incredibly challenging life experiences, as navigating the court systems can be complicated, intimidating, and sometimes impossible without attorney guidance.”

Encouragement: “I would encourage every attorney to participate in pro bono work because there are many ways you can give back to your communities and it doesn’t always have to be time-consuming – every bit counts! You can spend an hour or two volunteering at a legal clinic, which impacts and assists many people in the community.”

Anja Rodriguez was born and raised in Idaho. She received her B.A. in Spanish at Boise State University in 2011, graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2016, and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar that year. Anja loves to travel and completed study abroad programs in Costa Rica and Spain during college and law school. After law school, she joined her family’s law firm, Migliuri & Rodriguez PLLC, in Twin Falls, Idaho, practicing primarily in the areas of family law and criminal defense. Anja is also active in volunteering for the local legal community. She has served as a Fifth District Bar Officer since 2021 and also as Fifth District Bar President for the 2023-2024 term. Additionally, Anja is the representative for the Idaho Women Lawyers – Fifth District chapter. In her free time, Anja loves exploring new places, spending time with her family, skiing, and hiking (she even summited Borah, Idaho’s tallest peak!).

Jason D. Stanley – Sixth District

Why Pro Bono? “The practice of law is really about people. Since I work for the government, I’m limited in how I can volunteer my time, in an official capacity at least. Pro bono work, especially for Idaho’s veterans and underprivileged community, is especially rewarding because it gives me a chance to interact with my community on a more personal level.”

Encouragement: “Seek out a group of people you’re passionate about, for me it’s Idaho’s veteran community. Next, just look for ways to volunteer and participate in that community. In time, you’ll learn the needs of that group of people and see ways to help out, from a legal perspective. I don’t go into my pro bono service always looking for a way to provide legal advice. Rather, I just jump in and start to be as helpful as possible. The more people trust you, the more they’ll be open about their needs, legally speaking.”

Jason Stanley is a military veteran who spent 17 years in the service split between the Marine Corps and the Army. He attended Concordia Law School in Boise, Idaho, graduating in 2017. He didn’t sit for the UBE for two years after graduating from law school but took the February 2019 bar exam and was admitted to practice law in April of 2019. In January of 2020, Jason was hired by Bannock County, where he currently works. He’s had a number of jobs while working in Bannock County’s legal department including Deputy Public Defender, Deputy Prosecutor, and Senior Deputy Prosecutor.

Paul B. Rippel – Seventh District

Why Pro Bono? “There are people who either cannot fathom the legal process or simply do not have the money to pay for help. Some of them need a simple guiding hand and others need someone to speak in court for them. These are real people who have the same rights under the law and need the same help as people with enough money to pay for legal counsel. The professional satisfaction in pro bono representation is its true reward.”

Encouragement: “I hope that every lawyer will realize the blessing we have received with the license giving us the privilege to practice, whether paid or unpaid. However, most pro bono clients express their gratitude for your help when others often figure their payment is enough.”

Paul B. Rippel was raised in Idaho most of his life and graduated from Skyline High School in Idaho Falls – Go Grizz. After a few spurts, he graduated from the University of Idaho. Eventually, he had to choose between a Ph.D. program or law school, and got his J.D. at the University of Idaho College of Law. Paul was honored to work under Arnold T. Beebe, D.J. as a law clerk who taught him – the law is the most important part of what we do as lawyers. Paul then was lucky enough to get a job with Hopkins French Crockett Springer & Hoopes in Idaho Falls, where he has been for 42 years. His areas of practice have varied along the way with the needs of the public and the firm. He has no immediate plans to retire as he continues to enjoy helping people who have legal and practical problems.