Section of the Year Award

The 2025 Section of the Year Award is awarded to the Idaho Legal History Section. This section has been instrumental in preserving the history of the legal profession and courts in Idaho since the section was founded as a separate organization, the Idaho Legal History Society, in 2005. Founded by Judge Lynn Winmill and Judge Ronald Bush along with Byron Johnson, Hon. Ronald J. Wilper, Rita Ryan, Judith Austin, Tom McCabe, Betty Richardson, Russ Heller, and Susie Boring-Headlee. The group discovered that many people have been quietly preserving Idaho’s legal history on their own, and many more wanted to be part of the effort.  

Their projects over the years are many including an oral history project, sponsoring several editions of the Advocate, with many articles touching on subjects involving issues in the law and history. 

Most recently they have been instrumental in providing both the seed money and labor from their members—including Judge Debora Grasham, Judge Jessica Lorello, and Lindsey Welfley—to finish and publish Tents to Towers: The History of the Practice of Law in Idaho. 

The Society became a Section in 2021 and is proud to include both attorney and non-attorney members.  We owe them a debt of gratitude for preserving the history of what may seem like everyday occurrences in courthouses across the state.

Workers’ Compensation Professionalism Award

Emma Wilson received the Workers’ Compensation Professionalism award for 2025. Emma is the driving forced behind Kids’ Chance—a program started by the Workers’ Compensation section that provides scholarships to children of those seriously or fatally injured on the job. Emma currently serves as the president for Kids’ Chance.

Emma began practicing Workers’ Compensation defense since 2009. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in advertising from the University of Oregon in 2001. Following graduation, she worked as a media planner at R/West advertising in Portland and in 2004 became a media buyer on the Nike account at Wieden + Kennedy in Portland. In 2006 Emma enrolled at the University of Idaho College of Law where she served as a published writer and editor of the Idaho Law Review.  She graduated in 2009 and began working at Gardner, Breen & Veltman, where she defended workers’ compensation cases throughout all stages of litigation. She is now a partner at Breen Veltman Wilson PLLC.

Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section Professionalism Award

The Idaho State Bar Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section presents its annual Professionalism Award to a member that has shown continual service, professionalism, and leadership within the bankruptcy bar. The 2025 Professionalism Award was presented to Ron Kerl of Pocatello.

Ron Kerl was raised in Priest River, in Northern Idaho. He graduated from the University of Idaho College of Letters and Sciences (B.A. 1972) and College of Law (J.D. 1975). He is admitted to practice in all Idaho Courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has served as president of the local 6th District Bar Association (1982), the Idaho State Bar (1994), the Portneuf Inns of court (1996), chaired numerous Idaho State Bar committees (Bar Exam Grading, Professional Conduct, Long Range Planning), and served on Idaho Law Foundations Fund Development committee.

In 2002 he received the Idaho State Bar’s Professionalism Award and served as a lawyer representative from 2003-2006 for the District of Idaho and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Ron’s primary practice areas include commercial litigation, bankruptcy reorganizations under Chapters 11 and 12 and bankruptcy liquidations under Chapter 7, drafting simple to complex commercial and financial agreements, and real estate including commercial and agricultural acquisitions and sales.

Idaho Military Legal Alliance Awards

Idaho Military Legal Alliance (“IMLA”) recognized individuals and organizations who have been staples to their Pro Bono Clinic successes for 2025.

Individual Pro Bono Service Award: Celebrating a legal professional whose dedicated volunteerism has significantly advanced veterans’ rights and access to justice was presented to Jamie Shropshire for her dedication to our General Legal Aid Clinic.

Veterans’ Advocacy Award: Acknowledging outstanding financial support and advocacy that have empowered the Idaho Military Legal Alliance to expand its reach and effectiveness. Jeffrey Woodworth received this award on behalf of HP, Inc. Their financial support has allowed us to expand our services and regularly conduct clinics in Boise, Moscow, and Pocatello.

Organizational Pro Bono Service Award: Recognizing a firm or nonprofit that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact in delivering pro bono legal services to veterans. Tatum Remely, Kaci Peterson, and Haley West received this award on behalf of Perkins Coie. They have been critical to the Boise Wills Clinic.

Retired Judges

Hon. Calvin H. Campbell retired as a District Judge from Twin Falls County on June 28, 2024. He graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1992.

Hon. Jill S. Jurries retired as a magistrate judge from Ada County on December 20, 2024. She graduated from Pepperdine University Odell McConnell Law Center and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 2001.

Hon. Jonathan Brody retired as a District Judge from Minidoka County on December 31, 2024. He will continue to serve in retirement as a senior judge. He graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1994.

Hon. John T. Mitchell retired as a District Judge from Kootenai County on January 3, 2025. He graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1985.

Hon. John C. Judge retired as a District Judge from Latah County on January 17, 2025. He graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1984.

Hon. Paul Laggis retired as a Magistrate Judge from Power County on July 31, 2025. He graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1992.