Official Government Website
50 Year Milestone Attorneys: Admitted in 1973
These acknowledgments honor members of the Idaho State Bar who have been admitted for 65 years. Thank you to all who submitted material to be included in this portion of our awards.
Darrel W. Aherin
Darrel W. Aherin is the senior partner in the Lewiston law firm of Aherin, Rice & Anegon, having established his private practice in 1974. He received his J.D. in May 1973 from the University of Idaho College of Law and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in November 1973. He built his own office building near the Nez Perce County Courthouse, where his practice remains since the spring of 1976. Darrel was admitted to the Nez Perce Tribal Court in 2000, and to the Washington State Bar and Oregon State Bar in 2007. Darrel focused his practice of law in the areas of personal injury, product liability, and insurance claims. He now has added probate and estate planning. He served a term as a bar representative to the Idaho Judicial Council from 1997 to 2003, served as President of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association (“ITLA”) from 1994 to 1995, was awarded Trial Lawyer of the Year by ITLA in 2005, and the Distinguished Lawyer Award by the Idaho State Bar in 2017. Darrel was also one of the governors from Idaho on the Board of Governors to the American Association for Justice from 1996 to 2021. Darrel is married to Michelle and has three sons (one deceased) and two grandsons.
James T. (“Tom”) Baird
James T. (“Tom”) Baird is a native Idahoan who is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. He lives in Twin Falls. He has served as a Deputy Attorney General under eight different attorneys general in the Health and Human Services Department. Tom has two daughters and two grandchildren.
Carl F. Bianchi
Carl graduated from Hamilton College and Duke University School of Law. He and his wife, Gloria, moved to Boise in 1973 when he was hired by the Idaho Supreme Court as the first Administrative Director of the Courts, to continue the court reform movement begun in the 1960s. He helped the Supreme Court’s effort to reduce then-endemic delays in the courts, an effort later recognized by the American Judicature Society. In honor of Idaho’s Centennial Celebration in 1990, he edited the first written history of the Idaho courts, “Justice for the Times,” published by the Idaho Law Foundation, and featuring chapters written by leading Idaho judges and lawyers.
After retiring from the courts in 1993, Carl became the first Director of Legislative Services for the Idaho Legislature, where he consolidated and supervised nonpartisan staff services, retiring in 2006. He also helped pass legislation to restore Idaho’s Capitol building and served on the Idaho Capitol Commission for 10 years, aiding the restoration and underground expansion of the Capitol.
Carl and Gloria have been married for 54 years and enjoy family time with their two daughters. He remains supportive of the Idaho court system and how it has adapted in recent years to the changes and growth in our state, and he is proud of the Idaho State Bar, and the individual judges and lawyers that have given our state a national reputation for excellence.
William L. Bird
William Bird is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. William and his wife, Janice, live in Logan, Utah.
Schuyler L. Bradley
Shuyler Bradley is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Schuyler lives in West Richland, Washington.
Robert L. Brower
Robert L. Brower is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robert and his wife, Shirley, live in Coeur d’Alene.
Ronald D. Bruce
Ronald Bruce spent four years in the United States Marine Corps, and a brief stint at the U.S. Committee for UNICEF as a secretary (typist level). U.S. District Judge Constance Baker Motley, arranged for his appointment as a Deputy Clerk at the prestigious Southern District of New York courthouse at Foley Square in New York City. It was hard to leave for college those marble halls, the dignity of the judges and lawyers, and the magisterial atmosphere.
His years at Idaho State University (“ISU”) as a philosophy major included speech and debate achievements, editor of the ISU Bengal, and social chairman who booked Tina and Ike Turner, the Count Basie Orchestra, and speakers like Timothy Leary, Amiri Baraka, and Robert Welch, Jr.
After graduating from ISU with a B.A. in philosophy, Ron landed a reporter internship at the Salt Lake City Tribune. There he loved covering court proceedings and was blessed to report a comment by U. S. District Judge Willis W. Ritter, who observed during a pandering sentencing that “prostitution in Salt Lake City is a stinking mess and would be so easy to clean up.” The story made headlines nationally, with Salt Lake City commissioners rightfully grumbling about the judge not specifying such an easy cleansing strategy. Ron often had regrets about leaving the Tribune for law school.
Ron’s paternal grandmother, Clara W. Burrill, was editor of her law review at Boston University College of Law inspired him to better scholarship at the University of Idaho College of Law. He made the moot court team and was lucky to be in the Class of 1973, which was the last class to enjoy an all-essay bar exam.
Attorney General W. Anthony Park hired Ron as deputy upon his graduation. He was primarily in the criminal division, doing trial prosecutions, appellate defense, and principal counsel to the Idaho Department of Corrections. Ron was appointed and elected Magistrate for the Fifth District Court in Rupert, and then upon the retirement of Idaho District Judge Sherman Bellwood, succeeded to his position. It was a high honor and privilege to serve in those positions, and enjoy the professional association with Judge Bellwood, District Judge George Granata, and Magistrate Judge Roy Holloway.
In addition to Attorney General Park, Ron also worked for Attorneys General Larry Echohawk and Jim Jones. Those three lawyers were extraordinary in their competence and devotion to ethical public service.
These days Ron travels quite often, and in May completed a 111-day world cruise. When resting up between travels he enjoys doing pro bono cases and arbitrations.
Linda J. Cook
An Idaho native, Linda Cook grew up in Ririe, Bonneville County. She obtained a master’s degree and, being adventurous, taught college level classes at the maximum-security men’s Prison in Walla Walla, Washington. She was the first woman who “worked inside the walls” of that facility, in its existence of nearly 100 years. Linda was on the faculty of a local college, so most classes were with typical college students. After two years there, she went to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and taught English as a Second Language for a year; at that time, there were not many English as a Second Language (“ESL”) programs. Her position was in conjunction with the U.S. Consulate in that city; some of her responsibilities were at the Consulate and some at a private school. Both jobs provided some communication skills and information that were useful later as a lawyer and magistrate judge.
Linda attended the University of Idaho College of Law at a time when there were few women students and some of the men expected the women to be secretaries, not lawyers. She enjoyed the academic experience as well as friendships with the faculty and other students. After graduation and being adventurous again, she lived in San Francisco and considered a career there, but after a few months realized her heart was left in Idaho and came back home. She then became a deputy prosecutor for Bonneville County and was appointed to be a Magistrate Judge in 1976.
Being a Magistrate was interesting and professionally rewarding. Linda was able to meet many attorneys and judges. She was involved with various professional committees and organizations including the Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Commission, the Governor’s Task Force for Children at Risk, the Court’s Fairness and Equality Committee, the Court’s Legislative Committee, as well as domestic violence and child abuse programs locally. She had many interesting cases and opportunities to hold court outside her judicial district.
Travel has always been interesting – having been everywhere from Antarctica to see penguins (tourists are rarely allowed on the ice) and up to northern Alaska to see puffins. She stood on the spot where the Austrian prince was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia which resulted in World War I, and where Hitler’s generals tried to blow him up in Poland. She’s been to the Amazon River and the Andes Mountains. She’s ridden camels in three countries and hopes to ride an elephant someday.
Linda is involved with the local Museum of Idaho and recently received an award for 20 years of service. As a retired judge, she continues to perform weddings and occasionally performs a wedding for someone whose parents or grandparents were also married by her. She finds it fun to reconnect with people from the past and looks forward to many more years. Linda also has a large and loving family which includes nieces who are also lawyers.
Dale Cox
Dale Cox is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Dale lives in Orofino.
Steve R. Cox
Steve R. Cox is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Steve and his wife, Terry, live in Lewiston.
Jack L. Curtin
Jack Lynn Curtin wants to extend a thank you to the State of Idaho and the majority of those residing therein, including the Idaho State Bar, which has grown significantly from the time he was admitted.
Jack remembers that there were few doors open to returning combat veterans in 1970. Dean Maynard at the University of Idaho graciously opened one and Jack jumped at the chance – he never looked back, although he almost missed it. It was the fall of 1970 and he had recently been released from active duty in the Navy. He was fishing on a coastal river in Oregon toward noon and wandered in the local bait shop. As he walked in a clerk asked his name and said he had a personal phone message from the University of Idaho waiting. Jack returned the call to find out that classes had started and wanted to confirm his attendance. He never quite figured out how they tracked him down but off he went!
To Jack there are many things that make the past 50 years so special. The following story is pretty much on point. We will let you read it from his own words:
“I don’t know the date, but it happened around the time we were still traveling to other jurisdictions for CLE credits. On one such occasion, I journeyed to another jurisdiction to glean the special knowledge that only faraway places seemed to offer. It was at a time when most states had adopted the plastic credit card look for their bar card, with all the shine and substance that can be jammed into a computerized wonder.
It was the first day of the seminar and the lady at the registration desk noted I was from out of town and asked to see my bar card. It was, of course, the paper punchout card that has distinguished Idaho attorneys for decades. The lady examined the card carefully, back and front, she even held it up to the light before handing it back to me. “Interesting,” she said, “did you make it yourself?”
Jack says it’s true when they say Idaho is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. His wife, Becky, of 47 years and counting, have done it all. Of the “few good decisions in my life” dropping anchor in Idaho 53 years ago was one of them for Jack. He wishes Godspeed and good fortune to those who follow; and don’t mess it up.
James M. (“Jim”) English
James (“Jim”) English began his law career in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in the late fall of 1973 as a sole practitioner specializing in litigation and real estate law after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law.
In 1979, Jim joined Idaho Forest Industries, Inc. (“IFI”), a lumber manufacturer and real estate developer, as corporate counsel. He held various management positions with IFI including Chief Operating Officer and President until retirement in 2001. His focus after IFI was real estate development in Boise, Eagle, Caldwell, and Coeur d’Alene, during which he maintained a limited real estate law practice until transferring to senior status in 2021.
Jim and his wife, Gail, have been married for 57 years; they have two daughters, Rebecca Zanetti and Debra Smith, and four grandchildren.
Donald J. Farley
Donald (“Don”) Farley says that 50 years doesn’t seem that long ago. It has gone all too quickly when he stops to think about it. He tries not to think about it! It has been fun, which is why it has gone by too fast.
Don started as a law clerk for the Honorable J. Blaine Anderson, U.S. District Court Judge in Boise one day after his graduation from the University of Idaho College of Law. From working with and observing Judge Anderson and many skilled trial lawyers during the two-year clerkship he learned how to be a lawyer, including the skills of hard work, preparation, professionalism, and ethics. He has tried to emulate those attributes ever since.
He has been primarily a trial lawyer and so-called insurance defense lawyer, first with a larger law firm in Boise, then he left in 1988 and started another successful law firm with close friends and great lawyers. Unfortunately, that firm closed in 2012, which Don would like to think had nothing to do with him. Don is currently a trial lawyer with Powers Farley PC (formerly Powers Tolman Farley) with close friends, but he says it’s probably time to retire. His areas of practice have varied but he would like to point out that he is undefeated as a criminal defense lawyer. One and done! Having successfully defending a Not Guilty verdict for his cousin’s husband against 93 felony counts of cattle theft, running brands, altering brands, and anything else the Owyhee County Sheriff and prosecutor could throw in.
Don has tried cases or at least appeared in every district court in Idaho. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has worked with lawyers from all over the country. He has won more than he has lost but the losses still sting.
Don and his beautiful, loving wife, Geridee, have been married for 54 years. In his own words: “I wouldn’t have gotten this far without her. She deserves this Milestone recognition more than I do.” Don has two sons: Brandon, who was born the year before Don started law school, and Ryan, who came along during his federal court clerkship. Don and Geridee are incredibly proud of their children’s accomplishments, successes, and families. They have two grandsons and two granddaughters; the oldest grandson is in college, the next oldest grandson will be graduated from high school by the time this is read and headed to college, and the two talented and beautiful granddaughters will be graduating and on to college or wherever their interests take them over the next two years.
Don signs off this Milestone recognition with a note from Bob Seger, “There I go, turn the page.” (1973)
James R. (“Jim”) Fields
The law opened many doors for Jim Fields. He started law school at the University of Idaho College of Law as a senior. He was selected as one of the 12 Outstanding Seniors. But an unexpected, interpersonal relationship situation caused him to drop out; in the interim he participated in the Peace Corps and served in the Army as an officer in Vietnam. Jim finally returned to the University of Idaho College of Law and graduated with the Class of 1973. After this five-year hiatus, the former mystique of law school was gone.
Jim spent three years in Washington, D.C. as Staff Counsel to U.S. Senator Jim McClure, focusing on legislative writing, veteran’s affairs, and social security. Returning to Idaho he became General Counsel and later Vice President for the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (“IACI”) in Boise, lobbying for 11 years for employers and private enterprise. In 1978, he helped develop IACI’s Idaho Business Week, which taught high school students America’s private enterprise system. One of his focuses was Idaho’s Workers Compensation System.
Jim also worked for Penland and Munther, focusing on employers’ issues, for three years followed by working for himself. This time was focused on non-profit, legislative, and private enterprise issues. Moving to Olympia, he managed the Washington Self-Insurers Association. Finally, after returning to Boise, he worked for Quane, Smith, Howard, and Hull, focusing on workers compensation defense for five years.
In 1998, Jim and his wife returned home to Filer. Rather than practice law he again turned to non-profit work for the South-Central Community Action Agency. Later he took charge of the College of Southern Idaho’s Office of Aging for 10 years.
During his career, he has been active in his communities in the Kiwainis service club, local boards and committees, and statewide associations.
Jim loves to fish, camp, hunt, and travel. He has visited all but five of the 50 states so far. He has always been fascinated by differences in cultures and how we are different, yet the same. Jim and his lovely wife, Barbara, have one daughter, Karrie. He hopes to fulfill one of his earliest bucket list items of traveling the world.
Greg J. Fuller
Greg Fuller graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 1966, with a bachelor’s degree in zoology, followed by three years of graduate studies in biology at California State Long Beach in the master’s degree program. Then came a career change from education to law and Greg headed for law school at Hastings College of the Law. Immediately upon graduating from Hastings, Greg and his wife, Shawna, headed for Idaho to begin a six-year tutelage in private practice with James J. May. After this time of invaluable mentoring, Greg met and formed a partnership with another great influence in his life, future Idaho Attorney General and Supreme Court Chief Justice, Jim Jones. After a few years with Jim, who had many important future roles to fill in Idaho jurisprudence, Greg continued his private practice in Twin Falls and Jerome, specializing in criminal law, family law, and general practice. Over the last 50 years, Greg has partnered with many young lawyers who have all contributed to the success of Fuller Law, including Daniel Brown who has practiced with Greg for the past 16 years.
Greg and his wife, Shawna, of 55 years, have six children, Matthew, Michael, Amy, Mark, Joanna, and Nicole, and 10 grandchildren. Over the last 40 years, the entire family has snowmobiled, snow and water skied, motorcycled, and hiked all throughout the Sawtooth Valley from their cabin in Smiley Creek. Greg was the producer of the Northside Playhouse, producing musical theatre productions for 15 years in Twin Falls and Jerome. Finally, for 46 years, Greg has answered the call as Chairman of the Board to form and support the Port of Hope, the oldest drug and alcohol treatment center in the State of Idaho, operating at one time or another out of Twin Falls, Boise, Nampa, and Coeur d’Alene.
Greg continues to practice in Twin Falls, Idaho, and is always the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night.
William F. Gigray III
William Gigray proudly obtained his Juris Doctorate from the esteemed University of Idaho College of Law in 1972. Little did he know that this milestone would mark the beginning of an illustrious legal career spanning five decades. He is filled with gratitude for the opportunities, experiences, and achievements that have shaped him both personally and professionally.
In June 1973, William embarked on his legal career as a part of the respected law firm of Gigray, Downen & Morgan in Caldwell, Idaho. As the youngest attorney in the office, he was entrusted with diverse responsibilities, including representing indigent criminal defendants as court-appointed counsel. It was during this time that he gained invaluable experience in criminal defense practice, handling notable cases such as a murder appointment that ultimately reached the United States Supreme Court. These formative years laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
In 1977, the firm merged with the Caldwell-based Miller & Weston law firm, marking a significant milestone in William’s career. For over a decade, William continued to thrive as a member of the firm, until July 1990 when he joined and became a shareholder of the present-day White, Peterson, Gigray & Nichols P.A. This transition allowed him to further refine his legal skills and focus on diverse areas, including criminal law, business law, probate, estate planning, divorce, product liability, medical malpractice, personal injury, workers’ compensation, bankruptcy, real estate, and municipal law.
William actively engages in professional associations and organizations, making significant contributions to the legal community. He served as the President of the Third District Bar Association from 1978 to 1979 and again from 1998 to 2003; he sat on the Board of Directors for the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, later assuming the presidency from 2001 to 2002. Recognized for his professionalism and dedication, William was honored with the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award in 2006 and the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award in 2019. Additionally, his commitment to the development of civil rules led to involvement with the Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee and the Idaho Supreme Court Civil Rules Ad Hoc Committee.
Beyond his legal practice, William has always been driven to give back to his community. Taking on leadership roles in various civic organizations, he served as the President of both the Jaycees and the Caldwell Optimist Club. Presently, William proudly serves as the President of the Greenbelt Civic League of Caldwell, Inc., the Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity, Inc. (“CFEO”), and the Foundation for Ada/Canyon Trails Systems, Inc. (“FACTS”). Furthermore, William’s commitment to faith has led him to serve at all administrative levels of the Presbyterian Church, including membership on the local church session, the Boise Presbytery, Synod of the Pacific, and General Assembly.
William considers himself blessed with a loving family and a fulfilling personal life. Alongside his wife, Barbara, they raised three successful children who have each found their own paths to contribute to society. Will Gigray IV serves as a Captain with the Caldwell Fire Department, Anne Kinley Middleton excels as a middle school teacher, and Mary Gigray is an attorney with the Canyon County Public Defender’s office. William has also been blessed with five grandchildren.
David D. Goss
David D. Goss is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. David and his wife, Anne, live in Boise.
Blair J. Grover
Blair J. Grover is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School. Blair and his wife, Joann, live in Rigby.
Robert G. Hamlin
Robert G. Hamlin is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robert and his wife, Carol, live in Boise.
Jesse B. Hawley III
In 1989, after 16 years as a sole practitioner on Main Street in Boise, Jesse (“Jess”) Hawley accepted an offer of employment as an executive for Morrison Knudsen Co., then a Fortune 500 company. This choice marked his exit from the legal profession.
Jess began his career in healthcare in 1993 when he was appointed Administrator of Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville. He held that position for 13 years and then accepted employment with Essentia Health, a large Minnesota-based health care system with hospitals throughout that region and also in Montana and Idaho. He served as Vice President for Business Development, working with rural hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, he took special assignments in both Montana and Idaho. He became the interim CEO of the Great Falls Hospital for 18 months and worked to put the hospital and its many clinics on a path for integration with a larger system.
In 2010, he became CEO of St. Benedict’s Hospital in Jerome, where he oversaw the successful merger of that hospital into the St. Luke’s Healthcare System. After this transaction closed, he retired in 2011.
He has enjoyed challenging and gratifying board service: nine years on the Blue Cross of Idaho Board. He was elected to the Idaho Hospital Association Board and served as its Chairman in 2001. Other board affiliations included the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the University of Idaho National Alumni Association.
For work/life balance, Jess is a committed River Rat, a Baldy Mountain skier, a chukar hunter, golfer, and proud founding member of the Chiseled Features Running Club.
He and his wife, Iris, find joy spending time with their family: three kids and two grandchildren, all of whom live in Idaho. They split time between their homes in Boise and Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall.
An Idaho native, Jess earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Idaho. He values the enduring friendships forged with his law school classmates.
John P. Howard
John P. Howard is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law. John and his wife, Patty, live in Boise.
Ronald D. Howen
Ronald D. Howen is a graduate of the University of California-Davis School of Law (King Hall). Ronald and his wife, Amy, live in Lakeview, Oregon.
Alan K. Hull
Alan K. Hull is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Alan and his wife, Cathy, live in Boise.
Peter J. Hutchinson
Peter J. Hutchinson is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Peter and his wife, Donna, live in St. Maries.
Ray D. Johnson
Ray D. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Ray and his wife, Vicki, live in Meridian.
Terry L. Johnson
Terry L. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Terry and his wife, Carolyn, live in Hagerman.
Dennis R. Jones
Dennis R. Jones is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Dennis and his wife, Kerry, live in Boise.
Steven L. Kauer
Steven L. Kauer is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Steven and his wife, Patricia, live in Blackfoot.
James P. (“Jim”) Kaufman
James (“Jim”) Kaufman was married in August 1968 and began law school at the University of Idaho College of Law shortly thereafter. Almost immediately he was drafted into the Army for the Vietnam War but was able to complete the first year of school before reporting. Jim returned in 1971 and finished the last two years, then started his career with the Attorney General’s Office in the criminal division in the fall of 1973. In 1975, he moved to the Department of Finance and worked with the team regulating the offering and sale of securities.
While there, the Hunt brothers from Dallas made the corporate raid on the Sunshine Mine Corp., which took Jim around the country for a year. Working with large law firms specializing in corporate takeovers was quite an experience for a young, small-town attorney, and he learned to appreciate the simple life.
In 1978, Jim left state government for private practice with the firm of Anderson, Kaufman, Anderson & Ringert, which eventually became known as Ringert Clark Chartered, and then finally Ringert Law Chartered.
Not knowing any better, Jim accepted a request from the federal court to represent a person charged with a crime, before they would tell him the name of the defendant. It turned out to be a member of the Aryan Nations charged with having enough weapons to outfit a small army. During the case, he met people having extreme racist views and general hatred for others. Whether for political or religious reasons, they felt justified in conducting a war against the world. It was an experience Jim decided not to repeat.
Jim’s practice eventually settled into estate planning, guardianships, and conservatorships. He was one of the initial attorneys specializing in the area and co-authored the guardianship/conservatorship and probate form books that are still in use today.
In 2014, the firm of Ringert Law Chartered dissolved and Jim started a new firm with his partner James G. Reid, which was known as Kaufman Reid PLLC. They enjoyed practicing together until Jim moved to his retirement firm, Gravis Law PLLC, in February 2020.
Jim is a past member and president of the Treasure Valley Estate Planning Council, a member of the Trust and Estates Professionals, Inc., and part of the team that convinced the Idaho Legislature that common law marriage is no longer needed in Idaho. He is also a member and past president of the Taxation, Probate & Estate Planning Section of the Idaho State Bar, a past member of the Idaho Supreme Court Guardianship Committee, and is currently a member of the Boise Estate Planning Council.
Jim’s career has focused on helping people with reasonable planning for incapacity and the transfer of assets to the next generation in a manner in which they are least likely to struggle. He has been involved in many cases with bitter family dissention, trying to help them through the process expediently. It has been quite a challenge at times. It is not the system at fault, but an awkward plan and family discord that causes the difficulty. The hundreds of guardianship and conservatorship cases in which he has been involved have provided many memories.
Jim initially went to college intending to study oceanography, but soon realized that was not his true calling. It was helping people with their personal estate issues. Jim has enjoyed a wonderful career and if given the chance, would do it all over again.
David J. Knowlton
David J. Knowlton is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. David lives in Ogden, Utah.
William F. Lee
William F. Lee is a graduate of the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. William lives in Emmett.
John C. Lynn
As John Lynn looks back over the years, he feels mostly lucky. He somewhat fell into law school. He was teaching at a federal prison for deferment purposes – deferment from the Vietnam war draft. This was a younger, racially tense population. He learned far more than what he taught. A couple inmates asked to write an article about what to expect in prison from a teacher’s perspective. It was objective and not positive. The administration took offense and fired John. Unbeknownst to him, the professional staff objected and petitioned for his reinstatement. By the time John got the notice, he had been accepted into law school. That was his first experience with the First Amendment.
In those days you didn’t need a life-plan at age 22. John could afford the $500 tuition on his janitor’s pay. Times have changed! It was great, particularly living in Ann Arbor in the early 70’s. In his final year, he worked part-time for an older lawyer (Carl) in a nearby small town with a ski hill (in southern Michigan, no less). Carl remodeled his office and wanted John to, basically, inherit his practice – an opportunity of a lifetime, so to speak. But growing up in the Midwest, John had always wanted to go to the mountains. So, John gave Carl a hug and chose Boise instead – population 60,000. “Two roads diverged in a wood…”
John was warmly received by the local bar – people like Allyn Dingel and Charlie McDevitt. He learned a lot the hard way. He recalls arguing a legal point a bit too far before a very distinguished district judge. The judge, in so many words, ordered John to sit down and shut up. John needed to apologize so he went to chambers the next day. Before he could get it all out, the judge said, “Wait John, it was my fault too – I overreacted.” This set the tone for decades of helping people get out of one form of trouble or another.
John said he must give tribute to his two partners for most of this time – Gar Hackney and Larry Scott, both deceased. They collected stories about funny things. This kept them going in the right direction. John enjoyed the employment/whistleblower cases the most. “What goes around comes around,” he says.
John is mostly retired now, living half-time in Mexico – a different place with a different way of doing things. He is content and has a loving family. But living in the relative tranquility of Mexico, he can see what he calls the great unraveling in the U.S. – at least from headline news. The loss of decency and civility, most illustrated by dysfunctional politics. He says he sees a reckoning for democracy – a war, really. On one side are the crazies creeping relentlessly toward authoritarianism – the last refuge for the true believers. On the other are you, his fellow lawyers and jurists. He hopes he’s wrong. But thinking some of you will have to become foot soldiers against the looming chaos, armed only with ideas like due process, respect for the law, and legal accountability. John thanks you all in advance on behalf of the grandchildren. Good luck.
J. Frederick Mack
J. Frederick Mack is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Frederick and his wife, Mona, live in Boise.
Raymond J. Malouf, Jr.
Raymond N. Malouf, Jr. is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Raymond and his wife, Sharyl, live in Logan, Utah.
Stephen J. McGrath
Born into a family history of lawyers dating back to 1881, Stephen McGrath grew up in rural Iowa, where his father, James W. McGrath, practiced law for over 50 years in the first courthouse built in the State of Iowa (1840).
Steve received his education at the University of Iowa (B.A., 1968), University of Stockholm, Sweden (1966-67), University of Idaho College of Law (J.D., 1973), and then served briefly in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam conflict.
He first engaged in the general practice of law in Idaho Falls in 1973 with an emphasis in litigation and mediation, successfully mediating several hundred cases. He never lost a jury trial or appeal to the Idaho Court of Appeals or the Idaho Supreme Court during his 35-year career.
Steve served on the Idaho State Bar Professional Conduct Board for three terms, the third being at the request of then-bar counsel and with special approval of the Idaho Supreme Court due to then-applicable term limits. While actively practicing, he received the Idaho State Bar’s Professionalism Award and Service Award.
By way of public service, he served on the original Idaho Depredation Committee dealing with depredation by wildlife on agricultural crops. Following a negotiated settlement between sportsmen and the agricultural representatives, Steve assisted legislative counsel in drafting Idaho’s wildlife depredation program. (I.C. Sec. 36-1107, et seq.)
He also served on the Idaho Fish and Game Advisory committee and Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation Board of Directors. Steve was instrumental in designing and obtaining legislative approval for Idaho’s elk license plate.
Steve is past general counsel and a director of the North American Elk Breeders Association, and Past president and director of the Elk Research Council, an international animal health research non-profit corporation.
Throughout his legal career, Steve has always stayed busy farming and ranching, hunting and fishing, and managed to travel to over 20 foreign countries which gave him the perspective of how lucky we are to live in America.
He lists his biggest disappointments in his 50 years of the practice of law in Idaho as: the failure of the legislature to provide adequate funding to attract the best candidates for Idaho’s judgeships. The sad day that Idaho’s lawyers made the transition to billing their time in increments of 6/10 of an hour. Since that day, some have become “overly business-like and less professional,” he feels.
Steve is currently happily retired on a small working ranch at the base of a mountain in Swan Valley with his bride of 40 years, Julie. They continue to raise elk and manage a small wildlife sanctuary for the benefit of waterfowl, birds of prey, and occasional moose, elk, and deer.
Harlow J. McNamara
Harlow J. McNamara is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School. Harlow and his wife, Judy, live in Idaho Falls.
Manderson L. Miles, Jr.
Manderson (“Mandy”) Miles began working as an intern in 1972 for Owen L. Knowlton, an attorney in Lewiston, while he was in law school. Owen had a general civil law practice and a public defender contract for Nez Perce County. After graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law, Mandy began practicing full-time in Owen’s law office. Owen and Mandy tried numerous criminal cases including several murder cases. Their general law practice grew to include contracts, real estate, family law, and personal injury, both plaintiff and defense. They represented many interesting people from all walks of life, including loggers, farmers, ranchers, guides and outfitters, business clients, and many others. Mandy truly enjoyed the variety of clients and learning about their issues. He learned a lot about the colorful history of Idaho and its people.
Over the years Mandy has been awarded the Pro Bono and Professionalism Awards for the Second District Bar Association. He appreciated the education he received at the University of Idaho College of Law and enjoyed working with many lawyers in Idaho and other states. Four of the lawyers from his firm are now judges and he is proud of their service. The law firm of Knowlton & Miles is still active with attorney Rick Cuddihy and Joe Schumacher.
Mandy has been a pilot for 45 years and has flown his Cessna 180 to Alaska, Mexico, Canada, all over the Idaho backcountry, and the Western States. He enjoys fishing, camping, bible study, flying, and bird hunting.
Mandy has two children, Sonja and Spencer, who both attended the University of Idaho and are both successful in financial jobs and business. He also has two granddaughters who are his pride and joy.
Paul B. Mosley
Paul B. Mosley is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Paul and his wife, Marjorie, live in Long Beach, California.
Hugh V. Mossman
Hugh Mossman was admitted to the Iowa Bar Association in 1971 and practiced in his dad’s Iowa law firm briefly before starting his ROTC commitment (his dad loved to remind him years later of the potential litigation he faced from Hugh’s first wills and title opinions). Following the Army Reserves, Hugh moved to Idaho, where he was employed as an Ada County public defender, city prosecutor, and eventually Boise City attorney.
In 1981, he went into private practice specializing in litigation, worker’s compensation, and social security disability and served as the president of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association in 1996. He was very proud and fortunate when his daughter, Taylor, joined the practice resulting in a gradual shift from law to babysitting, climbing mountains, and watercolor painting.
Fifty years is indeed a milestone and looking back, Hugh says how lucky he has been to share it with colleagues, clients, and friends in the legal community and, of course, his wife, Barb, and daughter, Taylor.
Douglas R. Nelson
Douglas Nelson is a fourth generation Idahoan raised in rural Bonneville County, spending much of his youth at his grandparents’ farm milking cows and chasing chickens. He graduated from Bonneville High School where he participated in wrestling, concert band, student government, and debate. Doug attended Brigham Young University with the aid of a debate scholarship and enjoyed competing in tournaments throughout the United States. He also participated in the National Model United Nations Competition held at the U.N. in New York City.
Doug received an “early” admission to the University of Utah College of Law where he graduated with high honors at the age of 23. He returned to Idaho Falls and joined the Sharp, Anderson and Bush law firm, which after 50 years in the same location, is known as Nelson Hall Parry Tucker, PLLC.
Doug and his wife, Billie Call Nelson, have been married for 52 years. Their six children include five daughters who followed their mother in receiving education degrees and one son, Ryan Nelson, who currently serves as a judge on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
During high school Doug worked as a news photographer for KID-TV, a CBS affiliate, where he filmed stories as diverse as automobile crashes, political campaigns, and the 1965 visit of President Lyndon Johnson to the Idaho National Laboratory.
Doug has enjoyed a diverse legal career. During law school he clerked for the Utah Attorney General’s Security Fraud Office and held teaching assistant positions in criminal law and estate planning. His early practice included commercial litigation, small business organizations, and representing lenders in state and federal court with several arguments before the Idaho Supreme Court. During the 1980s “farm crisis” his practice focused on troubled loan resolution and included representation before Congressional committees in Washington, D.C.
In recent years, Doug’s practice has emphasized estate planning and education law. He is a past president of the East Idaho Estate Planning Council and has provided numerous continuing education presentations relating to lending, estates, and education law. He has served as a lecturer for the Idaho State University and Brigham Young University-Idaho Departments of Education.
Doug has enjoyed church and community service. He has served as an LDS bishop, stake presidency member, and as a director of public affairs. He is a past president of the Bonneville United Way, Idaho Falls YMCA, and Idaho Falls Civitan and Rotary Clubs. He served for several years on the “Big Sky” and the Western States boards for YMCA of America. Doug is a past Chairman of the Idaho Community Foundation where he and Billie maintained a charitable fund and served on various advisory and grants panels for many years. Their work has emphasized assistance for non-traditional students re-engaging with post- secondary education, local school educational enhancement, and addressing food insecurity. Recently, Doug was instrumental in repurposing a 17,000 square foot LDS meeting house into a new food distribution and self- reliance education center operated by the Regional Council for Christian Ministry in the Idaho Falls area.
Doug is the recipient of various recognitions, including the Idaho Community Foundation’s Friend of the Foundation award, the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award, and the Idaho Governor’s Home-Town Hero Award.
Doug’s hobbies have included skiing, boating, historical biography, artistic glass work, and tennis. He has competed in several USTA Sectional and National championship competitions where his personal motto was, “age and treachery can prevail over youth and athleticism.” Recently, he and Billie have been spending time on their Pickleball court, entertaining their 27 grandchildren, or exploring various deserts around Palm Springs, California.
John P. Nollette
John Patrick Nollette is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. John lives in Spokane, Washington.
John M. Ohman
John Ohman moved to Idaho Falls immediately following his graduation from Creighton University Law School on his 22nd birthday. The first 50 have been fantastic and rewarding in so many ways! Though he knew no one, he found the community – and particularly the local bar members – to be very welcoming. That has continued to this day. His years have indeed rewarded him with friendships beyond measure – clients, attorneys, judges, and citizenry of all persuasions. Financial success has been important, but pales in comparison to those rewards.
Gratification comes in many ways! Reflecting on the thousands (yes, literally thousands) of clients whom John had been privileged to assist brings pride and satisfaction to his legal career. Each case, each client, each experience has a lasting effect, regardless of the outcome. And, yes, he has won some, and lost some – but never with regret, for the commitment to the law and to justice is what the practice of law is and continues to be! His membership in the Idaho State Bar has provided these memorable experiences of a lifetime and a career without regrets.
We often ask, “If you had it to do all over again, would you?” Sure, there have been changes, some of considerable magnitude, with effects not anticipated or easily measured, (e.g., lawyer advertising, less collegiality, high litigation costs, prolonged delays), but all in all, John still subscribes to the high values and worth of our profession. “Lawyers are the most learned of profoundly ignorant men (and women)” – every day is a new one, with something new learned on each of them. Approach each day with alacrity, and sagacity in results.
His practice allowed full participation in all sorts of other activities, each meaningful in their own way. Whether a state board (Idaho Transportation Board, Association for the Humanities – now Idaho Humanities Council), a bar committee (Unauthorized Practice of Law, bar exam grading, etc.), a civic club (Civitans, Elks) or volunteering for eleemosynary events, all are integral and vital to building, maintaining, and enjoying a thriving law practice.
As we all know, support is critical to sustaining the demands of a law practice and to meeting the rigors of any active trial schedule, and John would be remiss if he did not recognize the unconditional love and support of his family members, immediate and extended. His appreciation goes to all, but first to his wife, Elaine, and his daughters, Brittany and Andrea. John could then express gratitude to his 10 siblings and all their families. (Mom always said, “With the numbers of family members, you don’t need other clients.”)
His practice has overall been a general practice, with an emphasis on litigation. Long before the pressure to identify with either the plaintiffs’ bar or the defense bar, John was fortunate to engage in both, with memberships in the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and the Idaho Defense Council. John found both plaintiff’s work and defense work to be both challenging and gratifying. He was very proud to be designated as a certified trial specialist, undoubtedly resulting from innumerable court appearances and over 100 jury trials. Humbling also is his AV rating by Martindale Hubbel. Participation in the Eagle Rock Inns of Court, the Seventh Judicial District Bar Association, the Idaho State Bar, and Nebraska Bar also contributed to whatever successes John attained – sometimes in spite of himself, and not because he felt he was deserving.
John is also grateful for his status as a veteran, having been commissioned as an officer while in college, and having served as an ordnance officer, primarily at Aberdeen Proving Ground (MD).
His bar memberships include the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. District Courts for both Idaho and Nebraska, and Supreme Courts for both Idaho and Nebraska – and while he has enjoyed each, his heart has always been in the trial courts where commitment, dedication, and lots of good luck provide the rewards discussed.
Now entering Senior Status, John finds the time to do many of the things he had neglected, or set aside, and anxiously awaits the benefits of continued travel, home and abroad, volunteer work with charities, pleasure reading (instead of law cases and legal briefs), and enjoying family, to include grandchildren of whom he is particularly fond, and by whose existence make him blessed beyond measure.
Yes, he would do it all over again! And he encourages each of you to take pride in what you do, be satisfied in knowing the extent to which you have served your clients, and be humbled by the extent to which you are held in esteem by your communities. Your success is in your control, and it is not measured in dollars. Set goals, remain relevant, perform to the best of your abilities. Focus on what is right. The road ahead is yours – go pave your way.
John would like to note that the accompanying pictures well demonstrate that the rigors of law do not age you. Notice there is no perceptible change in his appearance from the 50-year-old picture and the current one. John wishes you the very best in the years to come.
James W. Phillips
In reflecting upon James (“Jim”) Phillips’ 50 years of practicing law, several things come to his mind. First, is the opportunity it gave him to be involved in his community to help preserve the best and shape the future of the special place where he had the good fortune to find home, family, and friends. Second, is the ability it gave him to help people often in troubling times. Finally, it is an interesting way to make a living with the flexibility (if one chooses) to have many adventures along the way. Jim wishes to thank the all the people who personally and professionally helped him over the years.
Photo caption for “Phillips, James:” Jim in the Boulder Mountains. Photo courtesy of Jim Phillips.
John R. Porter
John R. (“Jack”) Porter is a graduate of Stanford University Law School. Jack and his wife, Cathy, live in Moscow.
David L. Posey
David Lee Posey is a graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law. David lives in Payette.
Jerry D. Reynolds
Jerry D. Reynolds is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Jerry lies in St. Anthony.
Ernesto G. Sanchez
Ernesto came to Idaho as a migrant farmworker. He was born in Texas, the sixth of ten children. The family travelled throughout Texas, the South, the Midwest, and the Northwest following the crops. The family finally settled in Pingree, Idaho. He graduated from Snake River High School in 1963, Idaho State University (B.A.) in 1969, and the University of Idaho College of Law (J.D.) in 1972. He was the first Latino to graduate from the University of Idaho College of Law. He was also the first Latino admitted to practice law in Idaho.
Ernesto had a passion for fairness and for helping the disadvantaged. He joined Idaho Legal Aid Services (“ILAS”) in the Caldwell office. He received a Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship for four consecutive years to work at ILAS. His entire career was spent with ILAS, as a legal intern, staff attorney, and managing attorney. In 1978, he became Executive Director, a position he held until his retirement. In that position, he was instrumental in expanding ILAS offices statewide and in establishing the ILAS Indian Law Unit and the Migrant Farmworkers Law Unit.
Ernesto was involved with national legal services organizations including the National Project Advisory Group. He also served on the National Legal Aid & Defender Association Board of Directors, where he served as Secretary-Treasurer. He was active in representing Native Americans and Latinos through his career. He helped in creating the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. He also worked to secure workman’s compensation for farmworkers. He co-founded the Idaho Hispanic Caucus and the Idaho Hispanic Caucus Institute for Research and Education and served as the organizations’ first President for several years. He served on the Idaho State Department of Employment Advisory Council for many years.
Ernesto was active in the Idaho State Bar (“ISB”), the Idaho Law Foundation (“ILF”), and the Idaho Supreme Court. He served on ISB and Idaho Supreme Court Committees, including the Idaho Supreme Court Fairness and Equality Committee. He also served on the University of Idaho College of Law Advisory Council. He was active in the establishment of the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program and the Access to Justice Idaho campaign. He was the first recipient of the Idaho State Bar Diversity Section’s “Justice for All” award.
Ernesto received several awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and United Vision for Idaho. He was also a recipient of the University of Idaho President’s Medallion.
Ernesto credits all his accomplishments to the support of his family, friends, co-workers, and colleagues. He enjoys the great Idaho outdoors especially camping, RV-ing, fishing, hiking, exploring the back country, and rock hounding.
He currently lives in Boise with his wife of 42 years, Kathleen Hobdey-Sánchez. His three children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren all live in Boise.
Andrew M. Schwam
Andrew M. Schwam is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Andrew lives in Pullman, Washington.
Kenneth M. Sebby
Ken graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln, Nebraska. He first worked with Michael E. McNichols in Orofino, then in Boise with Quane, Smith, Howard and Hull, and later with Elam Burke and Boyd. The last half of his career was with the Department of the Interior (“DOI”), Office of the Solicitor, Boise Field Solicitor’s Office, representing DOI Bureaus and Offices, including the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Aviation Services, National Interagency Fire Center, and the Firefighter and Law Enforcement Retirement Team. He practiced before the Interior Board of Lands Appeals, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Federal District Court in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office. Issues included Federal Tort Claims Act Administrative Determinations, mining contests, rights-of-way, grazing and trespass disputes, personnel issues, and retirement claims.
He has enjoyed practicing with many fine judges, hearing officers, and lawyers in Idaho and other jurisdictions, and has appreciated the hard work, dedication, and courtesies bestowed by county clerks, court clerks, and other court officials and public employees over the years.
Ken and his wife, Patty, have been married for 54 years. They have two sons, Matthew and Thomas, both Maniacs, having been born in Orofino. In 2012, they moved aboard their 1991 Kady Krogen Widebody 42 Foot Trawler “OOGACHAKA” berthed in Umatilla, Oregon. They explored the Columbia River from Astoria to Kennewick, Oregon and the Snake River east to Lewiston, Idaho as a training ground. In 2012, they crossed the Columbia River Bar and headed north along the Pacific Coast to extended stops on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and Sydney, British Columbia, Canada, for provisioning and improvements to the boat before embarking on a leisurely four-month cruise through the Inside Passage north to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and back. They then motored to San Diego in preparation for the 2012 Baha HaHa group cruise to Cabo San Lucas and spent the next year cruising as far south as Zhuateneo and then back north through the Sea of Cortez before staging at Puerto Vallarta for the 2,750 nautical mile trip to Nuka Hiva, the largest of the Marquesas’ Islands in French Polynesia, Fakarava in the Tuamotus, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Vava’u in Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Sydney, Australia where they sold Oogachaka.
Ken and Patty presently live in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where they dote on their grandchildren, try to stay warm, and ponder what is next.
William H. Shibley
William H. Shibley is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. William and his wife, Patricia, live in Long Beach, California.
Milton A. Slavin
Milton A. (“Jock”) Slavin of Salmon became interested in becoming an attorney at an early age. As a youngster his parents wanted to acquire property near the family homestead at Carmen and engaged a family friend and local attorney, Charles Herndon, to help them through that process. It was a good learning experience that helped encourage Jock to aim towards a career in the law. He earned a business degree from the University of Idaho, worked for Lockheed Martin during Vietnam, then was accepted to, and graduated from, the University of Idaho College of Law in 1973. He has served as a public defender, city attorney, county attorney, magistrate judge, and helped numerous friends and neighbors with their different legal quandaries.
Jock has also served as President of the local Rotary Club, as Chairman of the Church Board, held various leadership positions in the Masonic organization, and is a longtime Elks member.
Jock and his wife, Roberta, met when they were teenagers and together raised three boys, Matt, Chace, and John. They enjoy Idaho and all the outdoor opportunities that it has to offer. In their younger years they enjoyed skiing, but have taken up pickleball, become snowbirds, and now spend their winters in warmer weather.
Robert W. Stahman
Robert W. Stahman is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robert and his wife, Myrna, live in Boise.
Randall L. Stamper
Randall L. Stamper is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School. Randall and his wife, Conni, live in Spokane, Washington.
Robert P. Stephens
Robert P. Stephens is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law. Robert and his wife, Sharon, live in Spokane, Washington.
Paul S. Street
Paul Street graduated from the College of Idaho in 1970 and the University of Washington School of Law in 1973.
Paul has practiced law as a corporate and business lawyer for 50 years. After clerking for the Idaho Supreme Court, Paul joined the Moffatt Thomas law firm in 1974. In 1999, he became General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Building Materials Holding Corporation – a publicly held building materials and lumber distribution company. In 2015, it merged and became BMC Stock Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BMCH) and Paul became General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the merged company. BMCH was a leading provider of diversified building products and services for the residential construction industry, with over $3 billion in sales, 10,000 employees, and 93 distribution locations in 18 states. Paul retired from BMCH in 2017. He joined Hawley Troxell in an Of Counsel role in 2017. In 2020 and 2021, Paul served as interim general counsel for Healthwise Incorporated.
Throughout his career, Paul has had an active transactional practice representing both sellers and buyers. In his role as General Counsel, he oversaw the legal aspects of financing the corporation through asset-based loans and the issuance of notes. Paul also had responsibility for SEC filings and compliance along with corporate governance.
Paul has been a member of the Idaho State Bar Business and Corporate Law Section since its beginning. He served as Secretary for the Committee on Corporate Laws of the American Bar Association. He currently serves on the board of the Idaho Pacific Lumber Company and the Northwest Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. He has served as a Trustee of the College of Idaho and Chairman of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Paul and his wife, Peggy, have a combined family of four children and six grandchildren.
David J. Thornton, Jr.
David Thornton was hired by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as a tax attorney in the Seattle district after passing the Washington State and Idaho State bar exams in the summer of 1973. Following his IRS tenure, his practice has been solely focused on sophisticated estate and tax planning matters for high-net-worth individuals and significant privately held companies. In the 1980s, he had a brief four-year stint where he had an honest job and served as the Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel for a telecommunications company in Seattle. During his time there, they completed joint ventures with a number of companies including Pacific Bell and Korean Gold Star. Following the sale of the company, David returned to practice as a partner with several large regional law firms. Fortunately, in the early 1990s, he was able to return to Boise to start his own firm, which has now grown to eight tax attorneys specializing in advanced estate and tax strategies and tax controversy.
David served as lead counsel on three significant tax cases in the Ninth Circuit that are currently the legal benchmarks for the valuation of closely held corporations and family partnerships. He also served as Chairman of four American Bar Association committees focused on advanced estate and tax planning issues and has also served on 20 nationally recognized CLE panels focused on advanced tax planning.
He and his wife, Vikki, have been married for over 40 years and are fortunate to have four amazing children and four superior grandchildren. Fortunately, most of them live in Boise which gives them the opportunity to spend a great deal of time attending sporting events and spending time together. The family frequently visits their home in La Quinta during the winter.
One of the most rewarding aspects of his professional career is the opportunity to have participated on numerous charitable boards including the Boys and Girls Club, Eastside Catholic Highschool, Bishop Kelly High School, St. Luke’s Planned Giving Board, the College of Idaho Foundation, and the Boise Symphony. David also established the foundations that raised funds for Eastside Catholic Highschool in Bellevue, Washington and Bishop Kelly in Boise, Idaho. He also received recognition as an outstanding alumnus at the University of Idaho.
Ron J. Twilegar
Ron Twilegar grew up in Boise, graduated from Boise High School in 1962, and received a business degree from the University of Idaho. Mr. Twilegar spent two years in Vietnam before receiving his law degree from George Washington University in 1971. He served as staff member for then-Rep. Jim McClure. He also owned a statewide polling organization.
Most people know Ron Twilegar as a Boise city councilman, or perhaps remember his days as a Boise legislator and state Senate minority leader. While Mr. Twilegar’s passion remains in politics, he puts his considerable energy into a variety of interests. For instance, he once led his family and 22 others on a group assault of Idaho’s highest peak, Mount Borah. He climbed Mount Hood in Oregon, fished for salmon off Alaska, and ran in a Paris Marathon.
Ron won election to the statehouse from Boise’s North End in 1974, the first democrat elected from Ada County in 38 years. Two years later, he moved to the state Senate and served as minority leader from 1980 to 1982. In 1983, with downtown redevelopment mired in controversy, Ron ran for Boise City Council and received the highest percentage ever in a multicandidate field. He let the fight to redevelop downtown with a mix of uses.
In addition, Mr. Twilegar co-founded the Capitol Classic children’s footrace. Ron has five children: three biological and two adopted. He will jump around from his homes in Boise, San Francisco, the cabin in the woods of the Idaho Mountains, somewhere near Hood Rives, Portland, or the coast. He enjoys traveling and is intrigued by curious thoughts by others. “When your life comes to a fork in the road…take it” – Yogi Berra
John W. Walker
John Walker began his legal career in October 1973 in Moscow, Idaho with Felton, Bielenberg and Anderson. He continues to practice law with Michael J. Pattinson in Moscow. John has been admitted to practice law before the Idaho, Washington, and Oregon Supreme Courts. He is admitted to appear before the Ninth Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. In January 1977, John argued a felony murder case before the Supreme Court of the United States of America with Moscow attorney Allen V. Bowles. Over the last 50 years his areas of emphasis include criminal, civil litigation, personal injury, wills, probates, and estates.
Over the years, John has practiced with and against many of Idaho’s finest lawyers and appeared before many excellent judges. John is a recipient of the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award. He continues membership in the American Association for Justice (AAJ, aka ATLA) and the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association (“ITLA”). He served on the ITLA Board of Directors. John is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
John has enjoyed his long-standing association with the University of Idaho. He is a member of Vandal Boosters. John served on the University of Idaho Alumni Board of Directors and was President of the Board in 2001. He instructed “Practice Court and Procedure” with Professor Craig Lewis at the University of Idaho College of Law for 10 years.
John has enjoyed many recreational activities including bird hunting, fishing, golfing, and piloting his jet boat on the beautiful Snake, Salmon, and Clearwater Rivers. He has had the privilege and pleasure of fishing with friends and family at a variety of locations including Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Canada, Florida, and Cabo San Lucas. John resides in Moscow with his faithful English Springer Spaniel, Ozzie.
Glen E. Wegner
Glen E. Wegner is a graduate of American University, Washington College of Law. Glen and his wife, Lynn, live in Boston, Massachusetts.
Lucinda Weiss
Lucinda Weiss was born in 1950 in Akron, Ohio. She attended school in Akron and graduated from Old Trail School. Thereafter, Weiss attended the College of Wooster, in Wooster, Ohio, where she originally studied chemistry. Weiss relocated after finishing her sophomore year at Wooster to Moscow, Idaho and enrolled in summer school at the University of Idaho to keep herself occupied. During the summer of 1969, Weiss interviewed at the College of Law “for practice.” She reversed her transfer to the University of Idaho that August, however, once she learned that she had enough credits to be a senior at Wooster, but only a junior at the University of Idaho. Weiss returned for her third and final year at Wooster, changing her course of study from chemistry to political science and French culture.
In 1970, Weiss began her studies at the University of Idaho College of Law. Weiss excelled academically in the law school and served on the Idaho Law Review. In 1972, she became the first woman at the University of Idaho to participate in Boise Cascade’s law internship program – intentionally or not, setting her on a corporate career path. Weiss graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1973 and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar that fall. Her first job as a lawyer was with the small general practice firm of Bandelin & Featherstone (later Bandelin & Associates) in Sandpoint. Then, in 1974, at the age of 24, Weiss was elected prosecuting attorney for Bonner County – making her one of the youngest prosecutors in the nation and only one of three women elected to such a position nationwide that year.
Weiss joined the legal department of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1976, making her the first woman attorney in the tire industry. That began a more than 25-year career in law and management at the world-renowned tire company, which now conducts business in more than 60 countries and on six continents. Outside of her regular work, Weiss has had a passion for the professional and educational development of others. She co-founded and was the first president of the Women’s Initiatives in Leadership, Goodyear’s mentoring and leadership development group.
Lucinda lives in St. Augustine, Florida.
Hon. William H. Woodland
Hon. William H. Woodland is a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. William lives in Pocatello.
Lawrence J. Young
Lawrence J. Young is a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law. Lawrence lives in Hailey.