The individuals selected for this year’s Service Awards include attorneys an a non-attorney who have committed their time and expertise to the service of the legal profession. Whether it is serving in leadership or in a more intimate setting, these individuals are dedicated to the betterment of the profession. In addition to providing biographic information, the recipients were asked to answer the following two questions:

Why is serving your community, personally or professionally, a priority to you? And, what advice would you give your younger self as you entered your law practice or began your career?

Hon. Joseph W. Borton

Why Service: “Live in gratitude! When you are thankful for all you have (and are willing to learn from the tough times), when you are grateful for the people you meet, and for the privilege to practice law in Idaho, you can’t help but want to share that for others to feel the same way.”

Advice: “Kindness is not weakness.”

Judge Borton graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1997 and spent 27 years in private practice as a trial attorney handling both civil and criminal matters, and state and federal matters, with other 100 trials completed. He served 14 years as an elected Meridian City Councilman. He was admitted before the United States Supreme Court in 2019. Judge Borton has been married for 30 years with two adult sons, one golden retriever, and a lazy cat. He is average at pickleball, golf, and curling but is working on each! He was appointed by Governor Little to serve as a District Judge in 2024 and is grateful for all of it; even the cat.

Hon. Robyn M. Brody

Why Service: “From time to time I need something or someone to remind me why I chose to become a lawyer. Serving other people reminds me that the education and skills I have are a gift that can make a difference in people’s lives.”

Advice: “Do every job you are given to the best of your ability and treat your workplace like your home and your coworkers like your family. Shovel the walk when you’re the first one to arrive and stock the fridge with Diet Coke when you take the last one.”

Justice Robyn M. Brody has been a member of the Idaho State Bar for nearly 27 years. She serves as the vice chief of the Idaho Supreme Court. She chairs the Pro Bono Commission and the Language Access Committee. She is also the Court’s liaison to the Child Protection Committee, the Child Support Guidelines Committee, and the Children and Families in the Courts Committee. She spends time volunteering to strengthen Idaho’s legal community by participating in numerous continuing legal education seminars. One of her favorite parts of being a Supreme Court Justice is having the privilege of giving tours of the Supreme Court to many of Idaho’s fifth graders.

Justice Brody and her husband have bee married for nearly 29 years, and the couple has two active boys, ages 16 and 18. She enjoys spending time with her boys in numerous sports and activities, including football, skiing, speech and debate, and drama.

Jim Cook

Why Service: “I’ve always felt that life is short and that I need to pursue a career that has meaning to me. Helping others and society as a lawyer makes me feel like I am using my life well.”

Advice: “Stick to your beliefs and live according to your moral compass. Network and explore the many opportunities of being a lawyer in Idaho. Give back to the profession. Protect the third branch of government.”

Jim Cook is the Executive Director of Idaho Legal Aid Services (“ILAS”), a statewide non-profit law firm serving low income Idahoans. He is a double Vandal, graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1995. He spent his first three years as an attorney at a private firm focused on litigation. Jim joined ILAS in 1999 as a staff attorney, moved to the position of Deputy Director in 2005, and became Executive Director in 2013. He has worked for years to make it so that ILAS can get the maximum client benefit from every dollar received.

Jim believes that ILAS attorneys need to be active contributors to the Idaho State Bar, the legal profession, and our communities. He recently stepped down as the President of the Fourth District Bar Association, has served as an officer with the Idaho State Bar’s Diversity Section, is a 2012 graduate from the Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers, and is a long time member of the Treasure Valley Inns of Court Chapter. He has practiced in various organizations such as the Idaho Assistive Technology Project Advisory Council and served on the board of Hodia Idaho Diabetes Youth Programs (a camp for children with diabetes).

Anne H. Haws

Why Service: “My life has been enriched and made better by the service of many people. Volunteering is a way to thank others for their service – to pay it forward.”

Advice: “I would encourage my younger self to do two things. First, to ask more questions more often. Second, to take the tie to follow up on persistent thoughts – the nagging questions mark or (seemingly) stray idea in the margin of my notes.”

Anne Haws attended the University of Idaho College of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 2017. Before beginning her private practice career, she clerked for the Hon. Candy W. Dale and the Hon. B. Lynn Winmill at the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho.

Anne has a commercial litigation practice at Holland & Hart, LLP. She works on cases for clients that involve a broad array of state and federal claims.

Anne currently serves in various volunteer capacities, including for the Bar on the Access to Justice FUND Run and Leadership Committees, for Idaho Women Lawyers as Chair of its Judicial Committee, as a member of the U.S. District Court, District of Idaho Local Rules Committee, and as the State Membership Chair for the American Bar Association. She is a member of Inns of Court, No. 130, and serves as a Fellow to the American Bar Foundation. She has also enjoyed teaching courses at the College of Law as a visiting lecturer.

Bron M. Rammell

Why Service: ”I am ultimately an optimist. I believe that people are inherently good and are sometimes in need of help beyond their ability to acquire on their own. I believe that we have the opportunity to sometimes be that person who can help others who need it. Muhammad Ali once famously said, ‘The service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.’ I also believe that service to others is the great paradox: only in giving do we receive. I have been fortunate to have served and been served by many. I consider myself richly rewarded as a result.”

Advice: “Realize that your opponent in a case is working with an imperfect person as his opponent. Always assume good intent, even if you disagree with someone, rather than assume malice. It will make the practice more tolerable. That is especially true when many clients expect their attorney to be uncharitable, intolerant, and unyielding.”

Bron Rammell received his J.D. from Willamette University in 1991. He had the privilege of acting as a pro tem municipal judge in the Dalles, Oregon from his third year of law school, while working for the primary judge’s practice in the Dalles. Bron took the Idaho Bar Exam in 1992 and was admitted. He started practice at Dial, Looze, and May; now May, Rammell & Wells. He became a partner in 1995. He notes that John Looze, Tom Dial, and Greg May have all retired, but were great examples.

Bron remains a partner in the firm with excellent partners Peter Wells and Kyle May. He has been blessed with the opportunity to have an extremely diverse practice. He has tried a number of serious criminal cases successfully to juries and has obtained a $1+ million civil jury verdict for a client. Bron has represented and continues to represent numerous individuals in complicated civil rights cases. The constitutional issues in those cases are always challenging and not always rewarding. Bron is honored to serve as Chair of the Idaho Client Assistance Fund with some great people and attorneys. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Association. Bron is on the Board of Directors of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, is a delegate for the American Association for Justice, and a member of the National Employment Lawyer’s Association. He chairs medical malpractice pre-litigation proceedings. He and his wife, Pam, have six children; all who have left the nest and are his greatest achievements.

Jeremy C. Rausch

Why Service: “Serving others who have served is a priority to me because of my own experiences with family and friends who have served in the military. Veterans are a special part of our community who protect the Constitution and laws; by giving back through legal services they are able to reap the benefits of their commitment.”

Advice: “Take chances and do not be afraid to explore all that your skills have to offer. Whether that is in a traditional legal role or in another industry.”

Jeremy began his legal education at Concordia University before transferring to his undergraduate alma mater, the University of Idaho, in 2020. He was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in May 2022. From 2022 to 2023, Jeremy service in Southwest Asia as an Engineer Officer with the 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion.

Jeremy’s career path has been diverse. He completed his Bachelor of Science in wildlife resources and was commissioned into the Idaho Army National Guard in 2013. Growing up on construction sites, he developed extensive experience in construction management before transitioning to full-time law studies in January 2020.

Today, Jeremy successfully balances his military and legal careers, supported by his wife, two boys, and a close-knit network of family and friends.

Benjamin C. Ritchie

Why Service: “I learned from my first mentors inside and outside the law of the importance of personal and professional service. Justice Ginsburg is often quoted as saying, ‘If you want to be a true professional, do something outside yourself.’ I believe any lawyer engaged in personal, public, professional, community, religious, or any other kind of service can bring a lot to the table and can be an influence for good.”

Advice: “I think I would give the following pieces of advice: 1) The practice of law is a lot about relationships. Work on relationships with mentors, clients, opposing counsel, and judges; 2) Own the case and try to see the beginning through the end; and 3) Learn as much as you can about the business and practice of law from experienced lawyers.”

Ben Ritchie was born and raised in Idaho Falls. He graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2005. After graduation, he clerked for District Judge Richard St. Clair and then has practiced in the eastern Idaho offices of Moffatt Thomas and Hawley Troxell. He practices primarily in the areas of insurance defense and coverage, employment law, and general litigation. Ben has been involved in the Idaho State Bar Litigation Section, the Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers, and the Reasonable Accommodation Committee for the Idaho Bar Exam. In industry, he has been involved in the Idaho Trucking Association, the Idaho Association of Defense Counsel, and SHRM. In his community, he has been involved in Habitat for Humanity, CASA, and the Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline. Ben has been married to his wife, Holli, for 24 years and they have three children.

Tyrie J. Strong

Why Service: “My life is enriched by the people who shared themselves and their expertise with me. It is satisfying and fulfilling to give back and pay it forward. I love that I can provide free legal services to those who would otherwise have no help. Taking on extra duties adds variety and richness to my weeks.”

Advice: “There will be tough times, but you’ll get through it, learn from it, and it will be worth it. You can’t control your clients; own the process, not the outcome. Choose your cases carefully – you can’t take them all, and none when at capacity! Many volunteer positions are available merely by asking or volunteering for them, so be bold and ask.”

Tyrie Strong worked at Intel as a Software Engineer before attending Gonzaga University School of Law. She graduated magna cum laude with her J.D. and was admitted to the Bar in April 2022. She now helps survivors of domestic violence through her work at Idaho Legal Aid Service, Inc. in Coeur d’Alene, where she is also family law practice group lead. She serves on the Board of Directors for Safe Passage, a domestic violence agency in Coeur d’Alene, and is an At-Large Member of the board of the Idaho State Bar Family Law Section.

Hon. Mayli A. Walsh

Why Service: “The judiciary has a responsibility to assist the public in understanding what it is that judges do and how important it is to protect the rule of law. I believe this is accomplished by working collaboratively with the local bar to regularly engage in civic education related activities.”

Advice: “Hard work is the great equalizer.”

Judge Mayli Walsh is a magistrate judge in Kootenai County, Idaho. She is a general jurisdiction judge, meaning she presides over every type of matter assigned to the magistrate’s division: probate, child protection, juvenile, criminal, divorce/custody, guardianship/conservatorship, etc. Judge Walsh was selected to serve as magistrate judge in Jue 2016. She obtained her law degree from the University of Idaho College of Law in Moscow, Idaho and, prior to taking the bench, spent the majority of her career working under the supervision of John Adams at the Kootenai County Office of the Public Defender. Judge Walsh is married to attorney Sean Walsh and together they have five children.

Gordon Holland

Why Service: “Service changes individuals, groups, and communities for the better.”

Advice: “Listen more, talk less.”

Gordon Holland serves as a Senior Human Resource Professional at Idaho Power and is in his fourth year as a non-lawyer member of the Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers steering committee.  During his time on the committee, he has continued to expand the depth of the subject matter taught by the academy and has helped develop the other committee members’ training and expertise when teaching new subject matter and topics.  Gordon has brought his extensive experience of more than 20 years in executive leadership to bear in helping evolve and teach the class curriculum.  Additionally, he has utilized his vast connections in the executive leadership arena to allow the class to hear from a variety of other organizations.  He has taught many topics during each of the classes including the SCARF model on human social experiences, a course on the book Crucial Conversations, and various components of the curriculum.  He is passionate about helping create a culture and work environment in the Idaho State Bar and the community that enables every person to shine, find joy, and develop to their fullest potential.